SPEECHES   AND    ADDRESSES 
OF  WILLIAM   McKINLEY 


SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 
OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY 


FROM   MARCH    1,  1897 
TO  MAY   30,  1900 


NEW  YORK 

DOUBLEDAY  &  McCLURE  CO. 
1900 


n" 


Copyright,  1900,  by 

DOUBLEDAY  &  McCLURE  Co. 


THE  DEVINNE  PRESS. 


PUBLISHERS'  NOTE. 

THE  enthusiasm  with  which  President  Mc- 
Kinley's  speeches  and  addresses  have  been 
received  in  every  part  of  the  Union  has  suggested 
their  permanent  publication ;  and  into  this  vol 
ume  have  been  gathered  all  those  that  he  de 
livered  from  the  time  he  left  his  home  in  Canton, 
Ohio,  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  Presidency, 
to  his  speech  at  Antietam  battle-field,  Maryland, 
May  30,  1900.  They  are  published  as  they  were 
spoken,  most  of  them  from  stenographic  reports. 
They  are  put  in  this  volume  in  chronological  order, 
because  an  arrangement  by  topics  would  break  the 
sequence  more  violently  than  an  arrangement  by 
time. 

Included  in  the  collection  are  the  President's 
Inaugural  Address  and  all  the  speeches  delivered 
by  him  on  his  several  visits  to  New  York,  to  New 
England,  to  the  Middle  and  Western  States,  and  to 
the  Southern  States.  In  them  he  discusses  a  wide 
range  of  subjects — a  wider  range  than  it  has  fallen 
to  any  other  President  to  discuss  since  Lincoln : 
some  are  memorial  addresses ;  in  others  he  takes 


vi  PUBLISHERS'   NOTE. 

up  commercial  and  financial  topics  of  the  widest 
importance ;  and  in  others  the  war  with  Spain  and 
the  new  and  momentous  problems  that  have  grown 
out  of  it.  The  contents  of  this  volume  include, 
in  fact,  what  President  McKinley  has  spoken  in 
every  section  of  the  country  on  all  the  impor 
tant  subjects  that  have  come  forward  during  his 
administration.  The  literary  quality  of  these 
speeches,  as  well  as  their  intrinsic  merit,  warrant 
their,  preservation  in  the  convenient  form  of  a 
volume  that  may  have  a  wide  circulation. 

The  portrait  that  appears  as  the  frontispiece  is 
a  reproduction  of  a  steel  engraving  that  was  made 
in  1898  at  the  Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing, 
Washington,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best 
likenesses  of  President  McKinley  that  have  ever 
been  made. 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Speech  on  Departure  from  Canton,  Ohio,  March  1,  1897      1 
Inaugural  Address       ........       2 

Address  at  Dedication  of  Grant  Monument,  New  York, 
April  27,  1897  .        .  ......     16 

At  Unveiling  of  Washington  Statue,  Philadelphia,  May 

15,  1897 19 

Remarks  to  American  Medical  Association,  Philadelphia, 

June  2,  1897 22 

At  School  of  Industrial  Art,  Philadelphia,  June  2, 1897    23 
Address  at  National  Opening  of  Philadelphia  Museums, 
June  2,  1897     .....  ...     23 

Speech  at  Banquet  of  Philadelphia  Museums  and  Manu 
facturers'  Club,  June  2,  1897 27 

Address  at  Tennessee  Centennial  Exposition,  Nashville, 

June  11,  1897 30 

Speech   to  Vermont  Fish  and   Game   League,  Isle    La 

Motte,  Vermont,  August  6,  1897 35 

Remarks  at  Proctor,  Vermont,  August  12,  1897  .  .  36 
Speech  at  Syracuse,  New  York,  August  24,  1897  .  .  36 
Remarks  from  Balcony  of  Hotel,  Buffalo,  New  York, 

August  24, 1897 37 

Speech  at  Banquet  of  Ellicott  Club,  Buffalo,  August  24, 

1897 38 

At  G.  A.  R.  Camp-Fire,  Asbury  Church,  Buffalo,  Au 
gust  24,  1897        .  .40 


viii  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Speech  at  G.  A.  R.  Camp-Fire,  Delaware  Avenue  M.  E. 
Church,  Buffalo,  August  24,  1897  .  .  .  .41 

At  Reunion  of  Twenty-third  Ohio  Regiment,  Fremont, 

Ohio,  September  2,  1897 42 

At  State  Fair,  Columbus,  Ohio,  September  3,  1897     .    44 
At  Akron,  Ohio,  September  4,  1897     ....    46 
Remarks  at  Canton,  Ohio,  September  4, 1897    .        .        .46 
To  Lincoln  Club,  Somerset,  Pennsylvania,  September 

9,1897 47 

At  Reception  of  R.  P.  Cummins  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  Somer 
set,  Pennsylvania,  September  10,  1897      .        .        .48 
Speech  at  Hoosac  Valley  Agricultural  Society  Fair,  North 

Adams,  Massachusetts,  September  22,  1897  ...  48 
Remarks  at  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  September  24,  1897  49 
Speech  at  Adams,  Massachusetts,  October  1, 1897  .  .  50 
Remarks  in  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Cincinnati,  October 

29,1897 51 

Speech  at  Dinner  of  Commercial  Club,  Cincinnati,  Octo 
ber  30,  1897  52 

To  Commercial  Travelers'  Association  and  Employees 
«fc>f  Dueber  Heights,  Canton,  Ohio,  November  1, 1897    55 
Address  at  Carnegie  Library,   Pittsburg,   November  3, 
1897.        ...  ...  .56 

Speech  at  Banquet  of  National  Association  of  Manufac 
turers  of  the  United  States,  New  York,  January  27, 1898    60 
Address  to  Officers  and  Students  of  University  of  Penn 
sylvania,  Philadelphia,  February  22,  1898      .        .        .67 
Address  of  the  Powers  in  Regard  to  Existing  Differences 
with  Spain,  Executive  Mansion,  Washington,  April  6, 
1898          .  .  ...  .78 

Reply  of  the  President 79 

Speech  at  Camp  Wikoff,  Montauk  Point,  New  York, 
September  3,  1898,  with  Introductory  Remarks  by 
Major-General  Wheeler 80, 81 


CONTENTS.  ix 

PAGE 

Remarks  to  Commission  Appointed  to  Investigate  Ad 
ministration  of  War  Department,  September  26,  1898    83 
At  De  Kalb,  Illinois,  October  11,  1898          ...    84 
Speech  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  October  11,  1898         ...     85 
Remarks  at  Dewitt,  Iowa,  October  11,  1898       ...    86 
Speech  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  October  11,  1898      .        .    86 
At  BeUe  Plaine,  Iowa,  October  11, 1898        .        .        .89 

At  Tama,  Iowa,  October  11, 1898 90 

At  Marshalltown,  Iowa,  October  11,  1898     .  .    91 

At  Ames,  Iowa,  October  11, 1898 92 

At  Boone,  Iowa,  October  11, 1898          .         .         .         .94 
At  Carroll,  Iowa,  October  11, 1898        .         .  -      .         .96 
At  Denison,  Iowa,  October  11,  1898      .         .         .         .97 
Remarks  at  Logan,  Iowa,  October  11, 1898         .         .         .99 
Speech  at  Missouri  Valley,  Iowa,  October  11,  1898   .         .     99 
Address  at  Trans-Mississippi  and  International'  Exposi 
tion,  Omaha,  October  12,  1898 100 

Remarks  on  Leaving  Omaha,  October  13, 1898  . '       .        .  106 

Speech  at  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898      .         .  106 

At  Glenwood,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898  .         .         .         .107 

At  Malvern,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898      .         .         .         .108 

Remarks  at  Hastings,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898   .         .         .  109 

Speech  at  Red  Oak,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898       .         .         .109 

At  Corning,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898      .         .         .         .110 

At  Creston,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898      .         .         .         .111 

Remarks  at  Osceola,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898      .        .        .112 

Speech  at  Chariton,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898       .         .         .113 

At  Ottumwa,  Iowa,  October  13,  1898    .         .         .         .114 

At  Monmouth,  Illinois,  October  13,  1898       .         .         .115 

At  Galesburg,  Illinois,  October  13,  1898        .         .         .116 

At  Merchants'  Exchange,  St.  Louis,  October  14,  1898  .  117 

In  Coliseum,  St.  Louis,  October  14,  1898      .  .  119 


x  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Speech  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  October  15,  1898  .  .  122 
At  Paris,  Illinois,  October  15, 1898  .  .  .  .123 
At  Arcola,  Illinois,  October  15,  1898  .  .  .  .124 
At  Decatur,  Illinois,  October  15,  1898  .  .  .  .125 
At  Springfield,  Illinois,  October  15,  1898  .  .  .126 
At  Clinton,  Illinois,  October  15,  1898  .  .  .  .128 
At  Oilman,  Illinois,  October  15,  1898  .  .  .  .  129 
'At  Kankakee,  Illinois,  October  15, 1898  .  .  .130 
At  the  Auditorium,  Chicago,  October  18,  1898  .  .  131 

Remarks  in  Front  of  Union  League  Club,  Chicago,  Octo 
ber  19,  1898 132 

Speech  at  Banquet,  Auditorium,  Chicago,  October  19, 1898  133 
At  First  Regiment  Armory,  Chicago,  before  Allied  Or 
ganizations  of  Railroad  Employees,  October  20, 1898  136 

Remarks   to    Committee   on   International  Arbitration, 
Chicago,  October  20,  1898 138 

Speech  at  Logansport,  Indiana,  October  21, 1898  .  .  139 
At  Kokomo,  Indiana,  October  21,  1898  .  .  .140 
At  Tipton,  Indiana,  October  21,  1898  .  .  .  .141 
At  Atlanta,  Indiana,  October  21, 1898  .  .  .  .142 
At  Noblesville,  Indiana,  October  21,  1898  .  .  .143 
«^At»  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  October  21,  1898  .  .  .144 
At  Rushville,  Indiana,  October  21,  1898  .  .  .146 
At  Connersville,  Indiana,  October  21, 1898  .  .  .147 

Remarks  at  College  Corner,  Indiana,  October  21,  1898     .  148 

Speech  at  Oxford,  Ohio,  October  21,  1898         .         .        .148 

At  Hamilton,  Ohio,  October  21,  1898   .        .         .         .149 

^Remarks  at  Wilmington,  Ohio,  October  21,  1898      .        .  150 

At  Washington  Court-House,  Ohio,  October  21,  1898  150 

Speech  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  October  21, 1898        .         .  151 

Remarks  at  Newark^Ohio,  October  21,  1898        .        .  154 

At  Banquet,  Union  League,  Philadelphia,  October  26, 

1&98 154 


CONTENTS.  xi 

PAGE 

%£>peech  at  Banquet  of  Clover  Club,  Philadelphia,  October 

A  27, 1898 ....  155 

Remarks  to  First  District  of  Columbia  Regiment,  at  Con 
vention  Hall,  Washington,  November  17,  1898       .         .  157 
Speech  before  Legislature  in  Joint  Assembly,  State  Capi 
tol,  Atlanta,  Georgia,  December  14,  1898       .         .         .158 
At  Auditorium,  Atlanta,  Georgia,  December  15,  1898  159 
At  Banquet,  Atlanta,  Georgia,  December  15,  1898      .  164 
At  Tuskegee,  Alabama,  December  16, 1898  .         .         .166 
To  General  Assembly  and  Citizens  in  State  Capitol, 

Montgomery,  Alabama,  December  16,  1898       .         .  170 
At  Banquet  of  Board  of  Trade  and  Associated  Citizens, 

De  Soto  Hotel,  Savannah,  Georgia,  December  17, 1898  172 
At   Georgia   Agricultural    and    Mechanical   College, 

Savannah,  Georgia,  December  18,  1898     .         .         .   176 
At  Macon,  Georgia,  December  19,  1898        .         .         .   178y- 
Remarks  at  Milledgeville,  Georgia,  December  19,  1898     .   180 
Speech  at  Augusta,  Georgia,  December  19,  1898       .         .  181 
At  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  December  19,  1898        .  183 
Remarks  at  New  London,  Connecticut,  February  16, 1899  184 
Speech  at  Home  Market  Club  Dinner,  Boston,  February 

16,1899 185 

At  G.  A.  R.  Encampment,  Boston,  February  17, 1899  .  193 
To  the  General  Court,  Boston,  February  17,  1899  .  195 
At  Commercial  Club  Reception,  Boston,  February  17, 

1899 197 

Remarks  at  Union  League  Dinner,  Philadelphia,  April  27, 

1899 200 

Speech  at  Academy  of  Music,  Philadelphia,  April  27, 1899  201 
Remarks   on   board  the  U.  S.  S.   Raleigh,  Philadelphia, 

April  28,  1899          .  .  .         .'  203 

Speech  at  Harrisonburg,  Virginia,  May  20, 1899       .        .  204 


xii  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Speech    at    Mount    Holyoke    College,    South    Hadley, 

Massachusetts,  June  20,  1899 205 

t  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  June  21,  1899        .        .  206 
At  Reception  of  Grand  Army  Post,  Adams,  Massachu 
setts,  June  24,  1899 207 

At  Adams,  Massachusetts,  June  26,  1899     .        .        .208 
At  Catholic  Summer  School,  Cliff  Haven,  New  York, 

August  15,  1899 209 

At  Ocean  Grove,  New  Jersey,  August  25, 1899    .         .  210 
Address  before  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  U.  S.  V., 

Pittsburg,  August  28,  1899 211 

Speech  at  East  Liverpool,  Ohio,  August  28,  1899      .         .  218 

At  East  Liverpool,  Ohio,  August  29,  1899   .        .        .219 

Remarks  at  Canton,  Ohio,  August  30, 1899        .        .        .220 

Speech  at  Canton,  Ohio,  August  30,  1899          .        .        .221 

At  G.  A.  R.  Encampment,  Philadelphia,  September  5, 

1899 222 

At  Banquet  of  Meade,  Lafayette,  and  Kinsley  Posts, 

G.  A.  R.,  Philadelphia,  September  5,  1899       .    •     .224 
'lleniarks    upon    Presentation    of  a    Sword  to  Admiral 

Dewey,  at  the  Capitol,  Washington,  October  3, 1899     .  225 
Speech  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  October  6,  1899       .         .         .226 
Remarks  at  Macomb,  Illinois,  October  6,  1899  .        .         .227 
At  Bushnell,  Illinois,  October  6, 1899  .        .        .         .228 
Speech  at  Canton,  Illinois,  October  6, 1899        .        .        .229 
At  Peoria,  Illinois,  October  6,  1899       .         .        .         .230 
Remarks  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  upon  Presentation  of  an  Al 
bum,  October  6,  1899 232 

•^Address  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  October  7,  1899         .         .  232 

Speech  at  Kewanee,  lUinois,  October  7, 1899     .        .         .236 

At  La  Salle,  Illinois,  October  7,  1899    .        .        .        .237 

At  Ottawa,  Illinois,  October  7, 1899      .        .         .         .238 

At  Joliet,  Illinois,  October  7, 1899        ....  239 


CONTENTS.  xiii 

PAGE 

Remarks  at  Children's  Exercises,  Auditorium,  Chicago, 

October  8,  1899 .241 

At  Quinn  Chapel,  Chicago,  October  8,  1899          .        .  241 
At  Banquet  of  Marquette  Club,  Chicago,  October  7, 
1899         .  .  .  242 

Speech  at  Citizens'  Banquet,  Chicago,  October  9, 1899     .  243 
At  Reunion  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  Chicago, 

October  10,  1899        .  ....  247 

To   Chicago   Bricklayers  and   Stone-Masons'   Union, 

Chicago,  October  10,  1899 248 

At  Banquet   of  Commercial  Club,  Chicago,  October 

10,  1899 2.">0 

At  Fair  Grounds,  Evansville,  Indiana,  October  11, 1899  253 

Remarks  from  Train,  Evansville,  Indiana,  October  11, 1899  255 

Speech  at  Vincennes,  Indiana,  October  11,  1899        .         .  255 

At  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  October  11,  1899  .         .         .256 

At  Danville,  Illinois,  October  11,  1899          .         .         .257 

At  Hoopestown,  Illinois,  October  11,  1899   .         .         .258 

At  Watseka,  Illinois,  October  11,  1899          .         .         .200 

Remarks  at  Red  Wing,  Minnesota,  October  12,  1899        .  261 

Address  at  Minneapolis,  October  12,  1899          .         .         .262 

Speech  at  Auditorium,  St.  Paul,  October  12,  1899     .         .  269 

At  Superior,  Wisconsin,  October  13,  1899     .         .         .271 

At  Duluth,  Minnesota,  October  13,  1899       .         .         .272 

Remarks  at  Aitkin,  Minnesota,  October  13,  1899       .         .  274 

Speech  at  Brainerd,  Minnesota,  October  13,  1899      .         .  275 

Remarks  at  Staples,  Minnesota,  October  13,  1899     .         .  276 

Speech  at  Wadena,  Minnesota,  October  13,  1899       .         .  277 

Remarks  at  Detroit  City,  Minnesota,  October  13,  1899      .  278 

Speech  at  Fargo,  North  Dakota,  October  13,  1899     .         .  279 

At  Wahpeton,  North  Dakota,  October  13,  1899   .         .  282 

At  Aberdeen,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899     .        .  284 


xiv  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Speech  at  Redfield,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899  .  286 

At  Huron,  South  Dakota,  October  14, 1899  .         .  .288 

At  Lake  Preston,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899  .  290 

At  Madison,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899       .  .  291 

At  Egan,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899   .        .  .293 

At  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899  .  .  294 

At  Yankton,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899      .  .  298 

Remarks  at  Vermilion,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899  .  300 

At  Elk  Point,  South  Dakota,  October  14,  1899     .  .  300 
At  Whitfield    Methodist    Episcopal    Sunday-School, 

Sioux  City,  Iowa,  October  15,  1899  .        .        .  .301 
Speech  at  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa,  October  16,  1899  .        .  .301 
At  Ackley,  Iowa,  October  16, 1899       .        .        .  .302 
At  Parkersburg,  Iowa,  October  16,  1899      .        .  .303 
At  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  October  16, 1899        .        .  .304 
At  Waterloo,  Iowa,  October  16,  1899  .        .        .  .305 
At  Independence,  Iowa,  October  16, 1899    .         .  .  307 
At  Manchester,  Iowa,  October  16, 1899        .         .  .308 
At  Dubuque,  Iowa,  October  16,  1899    .        .        .  .310 
At  Galena,  Illinois,  October  16,  1899    .         .        .  .312 
At  Ipswich,  Wisconsin,  October  16,  1899     .         .  .313 
At  Dodgeville,  Wisconsin,  October  16,  1899         .  .  314 
At  Mount  Horeb,  Wisconsin,  October  16,  1899    .  .  316 
At  Madison,  Wisconsin,  October  16, 1899    .         .  .317 
At  Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  October  16,  1899         .  .  321 
At  Deutscher  Club,  Milwaukee,  October  16,  1899  .  322 
At  Banquet  of  Merchants  and  Manufacturers'  Associa 
tion,  Milwaukee,  October  16,  1899     .        .         .  .323 
Remarks  at  Iron  Foundries,  Milwaukee,  October  17,  1899  325 
Speech  at  Racine,  Wisconsin,  October  17,  1899         .  .  326 
Remarks  at  Kenosha,  Wisconsin,  October  17,  1899  .  .  328 
Speech  at  Waukegan,  Illinois,  October  17,  1899        .  .  329 


CONTENTS.  xv 

PAGE 

Speech  at  Evanston,  Illinois,  October  17,  1899          .         .  331 

Remarks  at  Michigan  City,  Indiana,  October  17,  1899      .  332 

At  Three  Oaks,  Michigan,  October  17, 1899          .         .  333 

At  Niles,  Michigan,  October  17,  1899  .         .         .         .334 

At  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  October  17, 1899        .         .  334 

Speech  at  Jackson,  Michigan,  October  17,  1899        .         .  335 

Remarks  at  the  Hollenden,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  October  18, 

1899 337 

Speech  at  Warren,  Ohio,  October  18,  1899        .         .         .338 

Remarks  at  Niles,  Ohio,  October  18,  1899          .         .         .340 

Speech  at  Youngstown,  Ohio,  October  18,  1899         .        .  341 

At  Public  Reception,  Youngstown,  Ohio,  October  18, 

1899 .344 

Response  to  Committee  Presenting  a  Peace  Petition  Urg 
ing  Mediation  of  United  States  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  Boers,  Executive  Mansion,  October  26,  1899     .  347 
Remarks  at  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  October  31,  1899  .  348 
At  Ashland,  Virginia,  October  31,  1899        .  .  348 

At  Railroad  Station,  Richmond,  Virginia,  October  31, 

1899 349 

Speech  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  October  31,  189^,     .         .  349 
Address  at  Washington  Memorial  Services,  Mount  Ver- 

non,  December  14,  1899 355 

/Reply   to   Delegates  from    National    Board    of    Trade, 

Executive  Mansion,  January  24,  1900    ....  359 
VSpeech  at  Banquet  of  Loyal  Legion,  Washington,  Febru 
ary  22,  1900 3GO 

At  Banquet  of  Ohio  Society  of  New  York,  New  York, 

March  3,  1900 361 

Address  at  Ecumenical  Conference,  New  York,  April  21, 
1900         .  ....  .  366 

Speech    at    Antietam   Battle-field,   Maryland,   May   30, 
1900  .  369 


T. 


SPEECH  AT  CANTON,    OHIO,  UPON  DEPARTURE 
FOR  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  MARCH  1,  1897. 

My  Neighbors  and  Friends  and  Fellow-Citizens  : 

On  the  eve  of  departure  to  the  seat  of  government, 
soon  to  assume  the  duties  of  an  arduous  responsibility, 
as  great  as  can  devolve  upon  any  man,  nothing  could 
give  me  greater  pleasure  than  this  farewell  greeting— 
this  evidence  of  your  friendship  and  sympathy,  your 
good  will,  and,  I  am  sure,  the  prayers  of  all  the  people 
with  whom  I  have  lived  so  long,  and  whose  confidence 
and  esteem  are  dearer  to  me  than  any  other  earthly 
honors.  To  all  of  us  the  future  is  as  a  sealed  book ; 
but  if  I  can,  by  official  act  or  administration  or  utter 
ance,  in  any  degree  add  to  the  prosperity  and  unity  of 
our  beloved  country  and  the  advancement  and  well-being 
of  our  splendid  citizenship,  I  will  devote  the  best  and 
most  unselfish  efforts  of  my  life  to  that  end.  [Loud 
and  continued  applause.] 

The  assumption  of  the  chief  magistracy  is  of  such 

grave  importance  that  partizanship  cannot  blind  the 

judgment  or  accept  any  other  consideration  than  the 

public  good  of  all,  of  every  party  and  every  section. 

i  l 


%  'SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

With  this  thought  uppermost  in  my  mind,  I  reluctantly 
take  leave  of  my  friends  and  neighbors,  cherishing 
in  my  heart  the  sweetest  memories  and  the  tenderest 
thoughts  of  my  old  home— my  home  now,  and,  I  trust, 
my  home  hereafter,  so  long  as  I  live.  [Tremendous 
applause.]  I  thank  you  and  bid  you  all  good-by. 


II. 


INAUGURAL  ADDRESS,  DELIVERED   FROM   EAST    FRONT 
OF  THE  CAPITOL,  WASHINGTON,  MARCH  4,  1897. 

Fellow- Citizens : 

In  obedience  to  the  will  of  the  people  and  in  their 
presence,  by  the  authority  vested  in  me  by  this  oath,  I 
assume  the  arduous  and  responsible  duties  of  President 
of  the  United  States,  relying  on  the  support  of  my 
countrymen  and  invoking  the  guidance  of  Almighty 
God.  Our  faith  teaches  that  there  is  no  safer  reliance 
than  upon  the  God  of  our  fathers,  who  has  so  singu 
larly  favored  the  American  people  in  every  national 
trial,  and  who  will  not  forsake  us  so  long  as  we  obey 
his  commandments  and  walk  humbly  in  his  footsteps. 

The  responsibilities  of  the  high  trust  to  which  I  have 
been  called— always  of  grave  importance— are  aug 
mented  by  the  prevailing  business  conditions,  entailing 
idleness  upon  willing  labor  and  loss  to  useful  enter 
prises.  The  country  is  suffering  from  industrial  dis 
turbances  from  which  speedy  relief  must  be  had.  Our 
financial  system  needs  some  revision  j  our  money  is  all 
good  now,  but  its  value  must  not  further  be  threatened. 


OF  WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  3 

It  should  all  be  put  upon  an  enduring  basis,  not  sub 
ject  to  easy  attack  or  its  stability  to  doubt  or  dispute. 
Our  currency  should  continue  under  the  supervision  of 
the  government.  The  several  forms  of  our  paper 
money  offer,  in  my  judgment,  a  constant  embarrassment 
to  the  government  and  to  a  safe  balance  in  the  Treasury. 
Therefore  I  believe  it  necessary  to  devise  a  system 
which,  without  diminishing  the  circulating  medium  or 
offering  a  premium  for  its  contraction,  will  present  a 
remedy  for  those  arrangements,  which,  temporary  in 
their  nature,  might  well  in  the  years  of  our  prosperity 
have  been  displaced  by  wiser  provisions.  With  ade 
quate  revenue  secured,  but  not  until  then,  we  can  enter 
upon  such  changes  in  our  fiscal  laws  as  will,  while  in 
suring  safety  and  volume  to  our  money,  no  longer 
impose  upon  the  government  the  necessity  of  maintain 
ing  so  large  a  gold  reserve,  with  its  attendant  and 
inevitable  temptations  to  speculation.  Most  of  our 
financial  laws  are  the  outgrowth  of  experience  and 
trial,  and  should  not  be  amended  without  investigation 
and  demonstration  of  the  wisdom  of  the  proposed 
changes.  We  must  both  "be  sure  we  are  right"  and 
"make  haste  slowly."  If,  therefore,  Congress  in  its 
wisdom  shall  deem  it  expedient  to  create  a  commission 
to  take  under  early  consideration  the  revision  of  our 
coinage,  banking,  and  currency  laws,  and  give  them 
that  exhaustive,  careful,  and  dispassionate  examination 
that  their  importance  demands,  I  shall  cordially  concur 
in  such  action.  If  such  power  is  vested  in  the  Presi 
dent,  it  is  my  purpose  to  appoint  a  commission  of 
prominent,  well-informed  citizens  of  different  parties, 
who  will  command  public  confidence  both  on  account 
of  their  ability  and  special  fitness  for  the  work.  Busi- 


4  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

ness  experience  and  public  training  may  thus  be  com 
bined,  and  the  patriotic  zeal  of  the  friends  of  the 
country  be  so  directed  that  such  a  report  will  be  made 
as  to  receive  the  support  of  all  parties,  and  our  finances 
cease  to  be  the  subject  of  mere  partizan  contention. 
The  experiment  is,  at  all  events,  worth  a  trial,  and,  in 
my  opinion,  it  can  but  prove  beneficial  to  the  entire 
country. 

The  question  of  international  bimetallism  will  have 
early  and  earnest  attention.  It  will  be  my  constant 
endeavor  to  secure  it  by  cooperation  with  the  other 
great  commercial  powers  of  the  world.  Until  that 
condition  is  realized  when  the  parity  between  our  gold 
and  silver  money  springs  from  and  is  supported  by  the 
relative  value  of  the  two  metals,  the  value  of  the  silver 
already  coined,  and  of  that  which  may  hereafter  be 
coined,  must  be  kept  constantly  at  par  with  gold  by 
every  resource  at  our  command.  The  credit  of  the 
government,  the  integrity  of  its  currency,  and  the  in 
violability  of  its  obligations  must  be  preserved.  This 
was  the  commanding  verdict  of  the  people,  and  it  will  not 
be  unheeded. 

Economy  is  demanded  in  every  branch  of  the  govern 
ment  at  all  times,  but  especially  in  periods  like  the 
present,  of  depression  in  business  and  distress  among 
the  people.  The  severest  economy  must  be  observed 
in  all  public  expenditures,  and  extravagance  stopped 
wherever  it  is  found,  and  prevented  wherever  in  the 
future  it  may  be  developed.  If  the  revenues  are  to  re 
main  as  now,  the  only  relief  that  can  come  must  be 
from  decreased  expenditures.  But  the  present  must 
not  become  the  permanent  condition  of  the  govern 
ment.  It  has  been  our  uniform  practice  to  retire,  not 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  5 

increase,  our  outstanding  obligations,  and  this  policy 
must  again  be  resumed  and  vigorously  enforced.  Our 
revenues  should  always  be  large  enough  to  meet  with 
ease  and  promptness  not  only  our  current  needs,  and 
the  principal  and  interest  of  the  public  debt,  but  to 
make  proper  and  liberal  provision  for  that  most  de 
serving  body  of  public  creditors,  the  soldiers  and 
sailors  and  the  widows  and  orphans  who  are  the  pen 
sioners  of  the  United  States. 

The  government  should  not  be  permitted  to  run  be 
hind  or  increase  its  debt  in  times  like  the  present. 
Suitably  to  provide  against  this  is  the  mandate  of  duty, 
the  certain  and  easy  remedy  for  most  of  our  financial 
difficulties.  A  deficiency  is  inevitable  so  long  as  the 
expenditures  of  the  government  exceed  its  receipts. 
It  can  only  be  met  by  loans  or  an  increased  revenue. 
While  a  large  annual  surplus  of  revenue  may  invite 
waste  and  extravagance,  inadequate  revenue  creates 
distrust  and  undermines  public  and  private  credit. 
Neither  should  be  encouraged.  Between  more  loans 
and  more  revenue  there  ought  to  be  but  one  opinion. 
We  should  have  more  revenue,  and  that  without  delay, 
hindrance,  or  postponement.  A  surplus  in  the  Trea 
sury  created  by  loans  is  not  a  permanent  or  safe  reli 
ance.  It  will  suffice  while  it  lasts,  but  it  cannot 
last  long  while  the  outlays  of  the  government  are 
greater  than  its  receipts,  as  has  been  the  case  during 
the  past  two  years.  Nor  must  it  be  forgotten  that  how 
ever  much  such  loans  may  temporarily  relieve  the 
situation,  the  government  is  still  indebted  for  the 
amount  of  the  surplus  thus  accrued,  which  it  must 
ultimately  pay,  while  its  ability  to  pay  is  not  strength 
ened,  but  weakened,  by  a  continued  deficit.  Loans  are 


6  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

imperative  in  great  emergencies  to  preserve  the  gov 
ernment  or  its  credit,  but  a  failure  to  supply  needed 
revenue  in  time  of  peace  for  the  maintenance  of  either 
has  no  justification. 

The  best  way  for  the  government  to  maintain  its 
credit  is  to  pay  as  it  goes— not  by  resorting  to  loans, 
but  by  keeping  out  of  debt— through  an  adequate  in 
come  secured  by  a  system  of  taxation,  external  or 
internal,  or  both.  It  is  the  settled  policy  of  the  gov 
ernment,  pursued  from  the  beginning  and  practised  by 
all  parties  and  administrations,  to  raise  the  bulk  of  our 
revenue  from  taxes  upon  foreign  productions  entering 
the  United  States  for  sale  and  consumption,  and  avoid 
ing,  for  the  most  part,  every  form  of  direct  taxation, 
except  in  time  of  war.  The  country  is  clearly  opposed 
to  any  needless  additions  to  the  subjects  of  internal  tax 
ation,  and  is  committed  by  its  latest  popular  utterance 
to  the  system  of  tariff  taxation.  There  can  be  no  mis 
understanding,  either,  about  the  principle  upon  which 
this  tariff  taxation  shall  be  levied.  Nothing  has  ever 
been  made  plainer  at  a  general  election  than  that  the 
controlling  principle  in  the  raising  of  revenue  from 
duties  on  imports  is  zealous  care  for  American  interests 
and  American  labor.  The  people  have  declared  that 
such  legislation  should  be  had  as  will  give  ample  pro 
tection  and  encouragement  to  the  industries  and  the 
development  of  our  country.  It  is,  therefore,  earnestly 
hoped  and  expected  that  Congress  will,  at  the  earliest 
practicable  moment,  enact  revenue  legislation  that  shall 
be  fair,  reasonable,  conservative,  and  just,  and  which, 
while  supplying  sufficient  revenue  for  public  purposes, 
will  still  be  signally  beneficial  and  helpful  to  every 
section  and  every  enterprise  of  the  people.  To  this 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  7 

policy  we  are  all,  of  whatever  party,  firmly  bound  by 
the  voice  of  the  people— a  power  vastly  more  potential 
than  the  expression  of  any  political  platform.  The 
paramount  duty  of  Congress  is  to  stop  deficiencies  by 
the  restoration  of  that  protective  legislation  which  has 
always  been  the  firmest  prop  of  the  Treasury.  The 
passage  of  such  a  law  or  laws  would  strengthen  the 
credit  of  the  government  both  at  home  and  abroad,  and 
go  far  toward  stopping  the  drain  upon  the  gold  reserve 
held  for  the  redemption  of  our  currency,  which  has 
been  heavy  and  well-nigh  constant  for  several  years. 

In  the  revision  of  the  tariff  especial  attention  should 
be  given  to  the  reenactmeut  and  extension  of  the  re 
ciprocity  principle  of  the  law  of  1890,  under  which  so 
great  a  stimulus  was  given  to  our  foreign  trade  in  new 
and  advantageous  markets  for  our  surplus  agricultural 
and  manufactured  products.  The  brief  trial  given  this 
legislation  amply  justifies  a  further  experiment  and  ad 
ditional  discretionary  power  in  the  making  of  commer 
cial  treaties,  the  end  in  view  always  to  be  the  opening 
up  of  new  markets  for  the  products  of  our  country,  by 
granting  concessions  to  the  products  of  other  lands  that 
we  need  and  cannot  produce  ourselves,  and  which  do 
not  involve  any  loss  of  labor  to  our  own  people,  but 
tend  to  increase  their  employment. 

The  depression  of  the  past  four  years  has  fallen  with 
especial  severity  upon  the  great  body  of  toilers  of  the 
country,  and  upon  none  more  than  the  holders  of  small 
farms.  Agriculture  has  languished  and  labor  suffered. 
The  revival  of  manufacturing  will  be  a  relief  to  both. 
No  portion  of  our  population  is  more  devoted  to  the  in 
stitutions  of  free  government,  nor  more  loyal  in  their 
support,  while  none  bears  more  cheerfully  or  fully  its 


8  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

proper  share  in  the  maintenance  of  the  government,  or  is 
better  entitled  to  its  wise  and  liberal  care  and  protection. 
Legislation  helpful  to  producers  is  beneficial  to  all.  The 
depressed  condition  of  industry  on  the  farm  and  in  the 
mine  and  factory  has  lessened  the  ability  of  the  people  to 
meet  the  demands  upon  them  j  and  they  rightfully  expect 
that  not  only  a  system  of  revenue  shall  be  established 
that  will  secure  the  largest  income  with  the  least  burden, 
but  that  every  means  will  be  taken  to  decrease,  rather 
than  increase,  our  public  expenditures.  Business  con 
ditions  are  not  the  most  promising.  It  will  take  time 
to  restore  the  prosperity  of  former  years.  If  we  cannot 
promptly  attain  it,  we  can  resolutely  turn  our  faces  in 
that  direction  and  aid  its  return  by  friendly  legislation. 
However  troublesome  the  situation  may  appear,  Con 
gress  will  not,  I  am  sure,  be  found  lacking  in  disposi 
tion  or  ability  to  relieve  it  as  far  as  legislation  can  do 
so.  The  restoration  of  confidence  and  the  revival  of 
business,  which  men  of  all  parties  so  much  desire,  de 
pend  more  largely  upon  the  prompt,  energetic,  and  in 
telligent  action  of  Congress  than  upon  any  other  single 
agency  affecting  the  situation. 

It  is  inspiring,  too,  to  remember  that  no  great  emer 
gency  in  the  one  hundred  and  eight  years  of  our  eventful 
national  life  has  ever  arisen  that  has  not  been  met  with 
wisdom  and  courage  by  the  American  people,  with  fidel 
ity  to  their  best  interests  and  highest  destiny,  and  to 
the  honor  of  the  American  name.  These  years  of  glori 
ous  history  have  exalted  mankind  and  advanced  the 
cause  of  freedom  throughout  the  world,  and  immeasu 
rably  strengthened  the  precious  free  institutions  which 
we  enjoy.  The  people  love  and  will  sustain  these 
institutions.  The  great  essential  to  our  happiness  and 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  9 

prosperity  is  that  we  adhere  to  the  principles  upon 
which  the  government  was  established,  and  insist  upon 
their  faithful  observance.  Equality  of  rights  must  pre 
vail,  and  our  laws  be  always  and  everywhere  respected 
and  obeyed.  We  may  have  failed  in  the  discharge  of 
our  full  duty  as  citizens  of  the  great  republic,  but  it  is 
consoling  and  encouraging  to  realize  that  free  speech,  a 
free  press,  free  thought,  free  schools,  the  free  and  un 
molested  right  of  religious  liberty  and  worship,  and  free 
and  fair  elections  are  dearer  and  more  universally  en 
joyed  to-day  than  ever  before.  These  guaranties  must 
be  sacredly  preserved  and  wisely  strengthened.  The 
constituted  authorities  must  be  cheerfully  and  vigor 
ously  upheld.  Lynchings  must  not  be  tolerated  in  a 
great  and  civilized  country  like  the  United  States; 
courts,  not  mobs,  must  execute  the  penalties  of  the  law. 
The  preservation  of  public  order,  the  right  of  discussion, 
the  integrity  of  courts,  and  the  orderly  administration 
of  justice  must  continue  forever  the  rock  of  safety  upon 
which  our  government  securely  rests. 

One  of  the  lessons  taught  by  the  late  election,  which 
all  can  rejoice  in,  is  that  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States  are  both  law-respecting  and  law-abiding  people, 
not  easily  swerved  from  the  path  of  patriotism  and 
honor.  This  is  in  entire  accord  with  the  genius  of  our 
institutions,  and  but  emphasizes  the  advantages  of  in 
culcating  even  a  greater  love  for  law  and  order  in  the 
future.  Immunity  should  be  granted  to  none  who  vio 
late  the  laws,  whether  individuals,  corporations,  or  com 
munities  ;  and  as  the  Constitution  imposes  upon  the 
President  the  duty  of  both  its  own  execution  and  of 
the  statutes  enacted  in  pursuance  of  its  provisions,  I 
shall  endeavor  carefully  to  cany  them  into  effect.  The 


10  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

declaration  of  the  party  now  restored  to  power  has  been 
in  the  past  that  of  "  opposition  to  all  combinations  of 
capital,  organized  in  trusts  or  otherwise,  to  control  arbi 
trarily  the  condition  of  trade  among  our  citizens  " ;  and 
it  has  supported  "such  legislation  as  will  prevent  the 
execution  of  all  schemes  to  oppress  the  people  by  undue 
charges  on  their  supplies  or  by  unjust  rates  for  the 
transportation  of  their  products  to  market."  This  pur 
pose  will  be  steadily  pursued,  both  by  the  enforcement 
of  the  laws  now  in  existence  and  the  recommendation 
and  support  of  such  new  statutes  as  may  be  necessary 
to  carry  it  into  effect. 

Our  naturalization  and  immigration  laws  should  be 
further  improved,  to  the  constant  promotion  of  a  safer, 
a  better,  and  a  higher  citizenship.  A  grave  peril  to  the 
republic  would  be  a  citizenship  too  ignorant  to  under 
stand  or  too  vicious  to  appreciate  the  great  value  and 
beneficence  of  our  institutions  and  laws,  and  against  all 
who  come  here  to  make  war  upon  them  our  gates  must 
be  promptly  and  tightly  closed.  Nor  must  we  be  un 
mindful  of  the  need  of  improvement  among  our  own 
citizens,  but,  with  the  zeal  of  our  forefathers,  encourage 
the  spread  of  knowledge  and  free  education.  Illiteracy 
must  be  banished  from  the  land  if  we  shall  attain  to 
that  high  destiny  as  the  foremost  of  the  enlightened 
nations  of  the  world  which,  under  Providence,  we  ought 
to  achieve. 

Reforms  in  the  civil  service  must  go  on.  But  the 
changes  should  be  real  and  genuine,  not  perfunctory,  or 
prompted  by  a  zeal  in  behalf  of  any  party,  simply  be 
cause  it  happens  to  be  in  power.  As  a  member  of  Con 
gress  I  voted  and  spoke  in  favor  of  the  present  law, 
and  I  shall  attempt  its  enforcement  in  the  spirit  in  which 


OF  WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  11 

it  was  enacted.  The  purpose  in  view  was  to  secure  the 
most  efficient  service  of  the  best  men  who  would  accept 
appointment  under  the  government,  retaining  faithful 
and  devoted  public  servants  in  office,  but  shielding  none, 
under  the  authority  of  any  rule  or  custom,  who  are 
inefficient,  incompetent,  or  unworthy.  The  best  inter 
ests  of  the  country  demand  this,  and  the  people  heartily 
approve  the  law  wherever  and  whenever  it  has  been 
thus  administered. 

Congress  should  give  prompt  attention  to  the  restora 
tion  of  our  American  merchant  marine,  once  the  pride 
of  the  seas  in  all  the  great  ocean  highways  of  commerce. 
To  my  mind  few  more  important  subjects  so  imperatively 
demand  its  intelligent  consideration.  The  United 
States  has  progressed  with  marvelous  rapidity  in  every 
field  of  enterprise  and  endeavor,  until  we  have  become 
foremost  in  nearly  all  the  great  lines  of  inland  trade, 
commerce,  and  industry.  Yet,  while  this  is  true,  our 
American  merchant  marine  has  been  steadily  declining, 
until  it  is  now  lower  both  in  the  percentage  of  tonnage 
and  the  number  of  vessels  employed  than  it  was  prior 
to  the  Civil  War.  Commendable  progress  has  been 
made  of  late  years  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  American 
navy ;  but  we  must  supplement  these  efforts  by  providing 
as  a  proper  consort  for  it  a  merchant  marine  amply 
sufficient  for  our  own  carrying  trade  to  foreign  coun 
tries.  The  question  is  one  that  appeals  both  to  our 
business  necessities  and  the  patriotic  aspirations  of  a 
great  people. 

It  has  been  the  policy  of  the  United  States,  since  the 
foundation  of  the  government,  to  cultivate  relations  of 
peace  and  amity  with  all  the  nations  of  the  world,  and 
this  accords  with  my  conception  of  our  duty  now.  We 


12  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

have  cherished  the  policy  of  non-interference  with  the 
affairs  of  foreign  governments,  wisely  inaugurated  by 
Washington,  keeping  ourselves  free  from  entangle 
ment  either  as  allies  or  foes,  content  to  leave  undisturbed 
with  them  the  settlement  of  their  own  domestic  con 
cerns.  It  will  be  our  aim  to  pursue  a  firm  and  dignified 
foreign  policy,  which  shall  be  just,  impartial,  ever  watch 
ful  of  our  national  honor,  and  always  insisting  upon  the 
enforcement  of  the  lawful  rights  of  American  citizens 
everywhere.  Our  diplomacy  should  seek  nothing  more 
.and  accept  nothing  less  than  is  due  us.  We  want  no 
wars  of  conquest;  we  must  avoid  the  temptation  of 
territorial  aggression.  War  should  never  be  entered 
upon  until  every  agency  of  peace  has  failed;  peace  is 
preferable  to  war  in  almost  every  contingency.  Arbi 
tration  is  the  true  method  of  settlement  of  international 
as  well  as  local  or  individual  differences./ It  was  recog 
nized  as  the  best  means  of  adjustment  of  differences 
between  employers  and  employees  by  the  Forty-ninth 
Congress  in  1886,  and  its  application  was  extended  to 
our  diplomatic  relations  by  the  unanimous  concurrence 
of  the  Senate  and  House  of  the  Fifty-first  Congress  in 
1890.  The  latter  resolution  was  accepted  as  the  basis 
of  negotiations  with  us  by  the  British  House  of  Com 
mons  in  1893 ;  and  upon  our  invitation  a  treaty  of 
arbitration  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain 
was  signed  at  Washington  and  transmitted  to  the  Senate 
for  its  ratification  in  January  last.  Since  this  treaty  is 
clearly  the  result  of  our  own  initiative,  since  it  has  been 
recognized  as  the  leading  feature  of  our  foreign  policy 
throughout  our  entire  national  history,— the  adjustment 
of  difficulties  by  judicial  methods  rather  than  force  of 
arms,— and  since  it  presents  to  the  world  the  glorious 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  13 

example  of  reason  and  peace,  not  passion  and  war, 
controlling  the  relations  between  two  of  the  greatest  na 
tions  of  the  world,  an  example  certain  to  be  followed  by 
others.  I  respectfully  urge  the  early  action  of  the  Senate 
thereon,  not  merely  as  a  matter  of  policy,  but  as  a  duty 
to  mankind.  The  importance  and  moral  influence  of 
the  ratification  of  such  a  treaty  can  hardly  be  overesti 
mated  in  the  cause  of  advancing  civilization.  It  may 
well  engage  the  best  thought  of  the  statesmen  and  people 
of  every  country,  and  I  cannot  but  consider  it  fortunate 
that  it  was  reserved  to  the  United  States  to  have  the 
leadership  in  so  grand  a  work. 

It  has  been  the  uniform  practice  of  each  President  to 
avoid,  as  far  as  possible,  the  convening  of  Congress  in 
extraordinary  session.  It  is  an  example  which,  under 
ordinary  circumstances  and  in  the  absence  of  a  public 
necessity,  is  to  be  commended.  But  a  failure  to  con 
vene  the  representatives  of  the  people  in  Congress  in 
extra  session  when  it  involves  neglect  of  a  public  duty 
places  the  responsibility  of  such  neglect  upon  the  Execu 
tive  himself.  The  condition  of  the  public  Treasury,  as 
has  been  indicated,  demands  the  immediate  considera 
tion  of  Congress.  It  alone  has  the  power  to  provide 
revenues  for  the  government.  Not  to  convene  it  under 
such  circumstances  I  can  view  in  no  other  sense  than 
the  neglect  of  a  plain  duty.  I  do  not  sympathize  with 
the  sentiment  that  Congress  in  session  is  dangerous  to 
our  general  business  interests.  Its  members  are  the 
agents  of  the  people,  and  their  presence  at  the  seat  of 
government  in  the  execution  of  the  sovereign  will  should 
not  operate  as  an  injury,  but  a  benefit.  There  could  be 
110  better  time  to  put  the  government  upon  a  sound  finan 
cial  and  economic  basis  than  now.  The  people  have 


14  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

only  recently  voted  that  this  should  be  done,  and  nothing 
is  more  binding  upon  the  agents  of  their  will  than  the 
obligation  of  immediate  action.  It  has  always  seemed 
to  me  that  the  postponement  of  the  meeting  of  Congress 
until  more  than  a  year  after  it  has  been  chosen  deprived 
Congress  too  often  of  the  inspiration  of  the  popular  will, 
and  the  country  of  the  corresponding  benefits.  It  is 
evident,  therefore,  that  to  postpone  action  in  the  pres 
ence  of  so  great  a  necessity  would  be  unwise  on  the 
part  of  the  Executive,  because  unjust  to  the  interests  of 
the  people.  Our  actions  now  will  be  freer  from  mere 
partizan  consideration  than  if  the  question  of  tariff 
revision  was  postponed  until  the  regular  session  of  Con 
gress.  We  are  nearly  two  years  from  a  congressional 
election,  and  politics  cannot  so  greatly  distract  us  as  if 
such  contest  was  immediately  pending.  We  can  ap 
proach  the  problem  calmly  and  patriotically,  without 
fearing  its  effect  upon  an  early  election.  Our  fellow- 
citizens  who  may  disagree  with  us  upon  the  character  of 
this  legislation  prefer  to  have  the  question  settled  now, 
even  against  their  preconceived  views,  and  perhaps  set 
tled  so  reasonably,  as  I  trust  and  believe  it  will  be,  as  to 
insure  great  permanence,  than  to  have  further  uncer 
tainty  menacing  the  vast  and  varied  business  interests 
of  the  United  States.  Again,  whatever  action  Congress 
may  take  will  be  given  a  fair  opportunity  for  trial  before 
the  people  are  called  to  pass  judgment  upon  it,  and  this 
I  consider  a  great  essential  to  the  rightful  and  lasting 
settlement  of  the  question.  In  view  of  these  considera 
tions,  I  shall  deem  it  my  duty  as  President  to  convene 
Congress  in  extraordinary  session  on  Monday,  the  fif 
teenth  day  of  March,  1897. 

In  conclusion,  I  congratulate  the  country  upon  the 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  15 

fraternal  spirit  of  the  people  and  the  manifestations  of 
good  will  everywhere  so  apparent.  The  recent  election 
most  fortunately  demonstrated  the  obliteration  not  only 
of  sectional  or  geographical  lines,  but  to  some  extent 
also  of  the  prejudices  which  for  years  have  distracted  our 
councils  and  marred  our  true  greatness  as  a  nation.  The 
triumph  of  the  people  whose  verdict  is  carried  into 
effect  to-day  is  not  the  triumph  of  one  section  nor  wholly 
of  one  party,  but  of  all  sections  and  all  the  people.  The 
North  and  the  South  no  longer  divide  on  the  old  lines, 
but  upon  principles  and  policies  ;  and  in  this  fact  surely 
every  lover  of  the  country  can  find  cause  for  true  felici 
tation.  Let  us  rejoice  in  and  cultivate  this  spirit ;  it  is 
ennobling,  and  will  be  both  a  gain  and  blessing  to  our 
beloved  country.  It  will  be  my  constant  aim  to  do 
nothing,  and  permit  nothing  to  be  done,  that  will  arrest 
or  disturb  this  growing  sentiment  of  unity  and  coopera 
tion,  this  revival  of  esteem  and  affiliation,  which  now 
animates  so  many  thousands  in  both  the  old  antagonistic 
sections,  but  I  shall  cheerfully  do  everything  possible  to 
promote  and  increase  it. 

Let  me  again  repeat  the  words  of  the  oath  adminis 
tered  by  the  Chief  Justice,  which  in  their  respective 
spheres,  so  far  as  applicable,  I  would  have  all  my  coun 
trymen  observe :  "I  will  faithfully  execute  the  office  of 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  will  to  the  best  of 
my  ability  preserve,  protect,  and  defend  the  Constitu 
tion  of  the  United  States."  This  is  the  obligation  I  have 
reverently  taken  before  the  Lord  Most  High.  To  keep 
it  will  be  my  single  purpose,  my  constant  prayer :  and  I 
shall  confidently  rely  upon  the  forbearance  and  assistance 
of  all  the  people  in  the  discharge  of  my  solemn  responsi 
bilities. 


16  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


III. 


ADDRESS  AT  THE  DEDICATION  OF  THE  GRANT  MONU 
MENT,  NEW  YORK,  APRIL  27,  1897. 

Fellow- Citizens  : 

A  great  life,  dedicated  to  the  welfare  of  the  nation, 
here  finds  its  earthly  coronation.  Even  if  this  day 
lacked  the  impressiveness  of  ceremony  and  was  devoid 
of  pageantry,  it  would  still  be  memorable,  because  it  is 
the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  one  of  the  most  famous 
and  best  beloved  of  American  soldiers. 

Architecture  has  paid  high  tribute  to  the  leaders  of 
mankind,  but  never  was  a  memorial  more  worthily 
bestowed  or  more  gratefully  accepted  by  a  free  people 
than  the  beautiful  structure  before  which  we  are  gathered. 

In  marking  the  successful  completion  of  this  work,  we 
have  as  witnesses  and  participants  representatives  of 
all  branches  of  our  government,  the  resident  officials  of 
foreign  nations,  the  governors  of  States,  and  the  sover 
eign  people  from  every  section  of  our  common  country, 
who  join  in  this  august  tribute  to  the  soldier,  patriot, 
and  citizen. 

Almost  twelve  years  have  passed  since  the  heroic  vigil 
ended  and  the  brave  spirit  of  Ulysses  S.  Grant  fearlessly 
took  its  flight.  Lincoln  and  Stanton  had  preceded  him, 
but  of  the  mighty  captains  of  the  war  Grant  was  the  first 
to  be  called.  Sherman  and  Sheridan  survived  him,  but 
have  since  joined  him  on  the  other  shore. 

The  great  heroes  of  the  civil  strife  on  land  and  sea 
are,  for  the  most  part,  now  no  more.  Thomas  and 
Hancock,  Logan  and  McPherson,  Farragut,  Dupont,  and 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  17 

Porter,  and  a  host  of  others,  have  passed  forever  from 
human  sight.  Those  remaining  grow  dearer  to  us,  and 
from  them  and  the  memory  of  those  who  have  departed, 
generations  yet  unborn  will  draw  their  inspiration  and 
gather  strength  for  patriotic  purpose. 

A  great  life  never  dies.  Great  deeds  are  imperish 
able  ;  great  names  immortal.  General  Grant's  services 
and  character  will  continue  undiminished  in  influence, 
and  advance  in  the  estimation  of  mankind  so  long  as 
liberty  remains  the  corner-stone  of  free  government  and 
integrity  of  life  the  guaranty  of  good  citizenship. 

Faithful  and  fearless  as  a  volunteer  soldier,  intrepid 
and  invincible  as  commander-iii-chief  of  the  armies  of 
the  Union,  calm  and  confident  as  President  of  a  reunited 
and  strengthened  nation  which  his  genius  had  been 
instrumental  in  achieving,  he  has  our  homage  and  that 
of  the  world ;  but  brilliant  as  was  his  public  character, 
we  love  him  all  the  more  for  his  home  life  and  homely 
virtues.  His  individuality,  his  bearing  and  speech,  his 
simple  ways,  had  a  flavor  of  rare  and  unique  distinc 
tion;  and  his  Americanism  was  so  true  and  uncom 
promising  that  his  name  will  stand  for  all  time  as  the 
embodiment  of  liberty,  loyalty,  and  national  unity. 

Victorious  in  the  work  which,  under  divine  Provi 
dence,  he  was  called  upon  to  do,  clothed  with  almost 
limitless  power,  he  wras  yet  one  of  the  people— plain, 
patient,  patriotic,  and  just.  Success  did  not  disturb 
the  even  balance  of  his  mind,  while  fame  was  powerless 
to  swerve  him  from  the  path  of  duty.  Great  as  he  was 
in  war,  he  loved  peace,  and  told  the  world  that  honor 
able  arbitration  of  differences  was  the  best  hope  of 
civilization. 

With  Washington  and  Lincoln,  Grant  has  an  exalted 


18  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

place  in  history  and  the  affections  of  the  people.  To-day 
his  memory  is  held  in  equal  esteem  by  those  whom  he 
led  to  victory  and  by  those  who  accepted  his  generous 
terms  of  peace.  The  veteran  leaders  of  the  blue  and  the 
gray  here  meet  not  only  to  honor  the  name  of  the  de 
parted  Grant,  but  to  testify  to  the  living  reality  of  a  fra 
ternal  national  spirit  which  has  triumphed  over  the 
differences  of  the  past  and  transcends  the  limitations 
of  sectional  lines.  Its  completion,  which  we  pray  God 
to  speed,  will  be  the  nation's  greatest  glory. 

It  is  right,  then,  that  General  Grant  should  have  a 
memorial  commensurate  with  his  greatness,  and  that  his 
last  resting-place  should  be  the  city  of  his  choice,  to 
which  he  was  so  attached  in  life,  and  of  whose  ties  he 
was  not  forgetful  even  in  death.  Fitting,  too,  is  it  that 
the  great  soldier  should  sleep  beside  the  noble  river  on 
whose  banks  he  first  learned  the  art  of  war,  of  which 
he  became  master  and  leader  without  a  rival. 

But  let  us  not  forget  the  glorious  distinction  with 
which  the  metropolis  among  the  fair  sisterhood  of 
American  cities  has  honored  his  life  and  memory.  With 
all  that  riches  and  sculpture  can  do  to  render  the  edifice 
worthy  of  the  man,  upon  a  site  unsurpassed  for  magnif 
icence,  has  this  monument  been  reared  by  New  York  as 
a  perpetual  record  of  his  illustrious  deeds,  in  the  cer 
tainty  that,  as  time  passes,  around  it  will  assemble,  with 
gratitude  and  reverence  and  veneration,  men  of  all 
climes,  races,  and  nationalities. 

New  York  holds  in  her  keeping  the  precious  dust  of 
the  silent  soldier;  but  his  achievements— what  he  and 
his  brave  comrades  wrought  for  mankind— are  in  the 
keeping  of  seventy  millions  of  American  citizens,  who 
will  guard  the  sacred  heritage  forever  and  foreverinore. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  19 


IV. 


ADDRESS  AT  THE  UNVEILING  OF  THE  WASHINGTON 
STATUE  BY  THE  SOCIETY  OF  THE  CINCINNATI,  PHILA 
DELPHIA,  MAY  15,  1897. 

Fellow-Citizens : 

There  is  a  peculiar  and  tender  sentiment  connected 
with  this  memorial.  It  expresses  not  only  the  gratitude 
and  reverence  of  the  living,  but  is  a  testimonial  of 
affection  and  homage  from  the  dead. 

The  comrades  of  Washington  projected  this  monu 
ment.  Their  love  inspired  it.  Their  contributions 
helped  to  build  it.  Past  and  present  share  in  its  com 
pletion,  and  future  generations  will  profit  by  its  lessons. 

To  participate  in  the  dedication  of  such  a  monument 
is  a  rare  and  precious  privilege.  Every  monument  to 
Washington  is  a  tribute  to  patriotism.  Every  shaft  and 
statue  to  his  memory  helps  to  inculcate  love  of  coun 
try,  encourage  loyalty,  and  establish  a  better  citizenship. 
God  bless  every  undertaking  which  revives  patriotism 
and  rebukes  the  indifferent  and  lawless ! 

A  critical  study  of  Washington's  career  only  en 
hances  our  estimation  of  his  vast  and  varied  abilities. 
As  commander-in-chief  of  the  colonial  armies  from  the 
beginning  of  the  war  to  the  proclamation  of  peace,  as 
president  of  the  convention  which  framed  the  Consti 
tution  of  the  United  States,  and  as  the  first  President  of 
the  United  States  under  that  Constitution,  Washington 
has  a  distinction  differing  from  that  of  all  other  illus 
trious  Americans.  No  other  name  bears  or  can  bear  such 


20  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

a  relation  to  the  government.  Not  only  by  his  military 
genius— his  patience,  his  sagacity,  his  courage,  and  his 
skill— was  our  national  independence  won,  but  he  helped 
in  largest  measure  to  draft  the  chart  by  which  the  nation 
was  guided ;  and  he  was  the  first  chosen  of  the  people 
to  put  in  motion  the  new  government. 

His  was  not  the  boldness  of  martial  display  or  the 
charm  of  captivating  oratory ;  but  his  calm  and  steady 
judgment  won  men's  support  and  commanded  their  con 
fidence  by  appealing  to  their  best  and  noblest  aspira 
tions.  And  withal  Washington  was  ever  so  modest  that 
at  no  time  in  his  career  did  his  personality  seem  in  the 
least  intrusive.  He  was  above  the  temptation  of  power. 
He  spurned  the  suggested  crown.  He  would  have  no 
honor  which  the  people  did  not  bestow. 

An  interesting  fact— and  one  which  I  love  to  recall— is 
that  the  only  time  Washington  formally  addressed  the 
Constitutional  Convention,  during  all  its  sessions  over 
which  he  presided  in  this  city,  he  appealed  for  a  larger 
representation  of  the  people  in  the  national  House  of 
Representatives,  and  his  appeal  was  instantly  heeded. 
Thus  was  he  ever  keenly  watchful  of  the  rights  of  the 
people,  in  whose  hands  was  the  destiny  of  our  govern 
ment  then  as  it  is  to-day. 

Masterful  as  were  his  military  campaigns,  his  civil 
administration  commands  equal  admiration.  His  fore 
sight  was  marvelous ;  his  conception  of  the  philosophy 
of  government,  his  insistence  upon  the  necessity  of  edu 
cation,  morality,  and  enlightened  citizenship  to  the 
progress  and  permanence  of  the  republic,  cannot  be  con 
templated  even  at  this  period  without  mling  us  with 
astonishment  at  the  breadth  of  his  comprehension  and 
the  sweep  of  his  vision. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  21 

His  was  no  narrow  view  of  government.  The  immedi 
ate  present  was  not  his  sole  concern,  but  our  future  good 
his  constant  theme  of  study.  He  blazed  the  path  of 
liberty.  He  laid  the  foundation  upon  which  we  have 
grown  from  weak  and  scattered  colonial  governments 
to  a  united  republic,  whose  domains  and  power,  as  well 
as  whose  liberty  and  freedom,  have  become  the  admiration 
of  the  world.  Distance  and  time  have  not  detracted 
from  the  fame  and  force  of  his  achievements  or  dimin 
ished  the  grandeur  of  his  life  and  work.  Great  deeds  do 
not  stop  in  their  growth,  and  those  of  Washington  will 
expand  in  influence  in  all  the  centuries  to  follow. 

The  bequest  Washington  has  made  to  civilization  is 
rich  beyond  computation.  The  obligations  under  which 
he  has  placed  mankind  are  sacred  and  commanding. 
The  responsibility  he  has  left  for  the  American  people  to 
preserve  and  perfect  what  he  accomplished  is  exacting 
and  solemn.  Let  us  rejoice  in  every  new  evidence  that 
the  people  realize  what  they  enjoy,  and  cherish  with  affec 
tion  the  illustrious  heroes  of  Revolutionary  story  whose 
valor  and  sacrifices  made  us  a  nation.  They  live  in  us, 
and  their  memory  will  help  us  keep  the  covenant  entered 
into  for  the  maintenance  of  the  freest  government  on 
earth. 

The  nation  and  the  name  of  Washington  are  insepa 
rable.  One  is  linked  indissolubly  with  the  other.  Both 
are  glorious,  both  triumphant.  Washington  lives  and 
will  live  because  what  he  did  was  for  the  exaltation  of 
man,  the  enthronement  of  conscience,  and  the  establish 
ment  of  a  government  which  recognizes  all  the  governed. 
And  so,  too,  will  the  nation  live  victorious  over  all  ob 
stacles,  adhering  to  the  immortal  principles  which  Wash 
ington  taught  and  Lincoln  sustained. 


22  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


REMARKS  TO   THE    AMERICAN    MEDICAL    ASSOCIATION, 
ACADEMY  OF  Music,  PHILADELPHIA,  JUNE  2,  1897. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

Although  summoned  to  this  city  for  another  purpose, 
I  deem  myself  most  fortunate  to  find  this  honorable  as 
sociation,  in  its  semi-centennial  convention,  meeting  on 
the  same  day,  and  I  could  not  refrain  from  taking  a 
moment  from  the  busy  program  mapped  out  for  me  by 
Dr.  Pepper,  whose  assurance  I  had  before  coming  here 
that  it  would  be  a  day  of  rest  [laughter],  which  I  have 
already  begun  to  realize  [renewed  laughter].  I  could 
not  refrain  from  pausing  a  moment,  that  I  might  come 
into  this  brilliant  presence  to  meet  the  learned  gentlemen 
here  assembled,  and  to  pay  my  respectful  homage  to  the 
noble  profession  which  you  so  worthily  represent.  [Ap 
plause.]  You  have  my  best  wishes,  and,  I  am  sure,  the 
best  wishes  of  all  our  countrymen,  for  the  highest  results 
of  your  profession,  and  my  warm  and  hearty  congratula 
tions  upon  this  your  fiftieth  anniversary.  [Applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  23 


VI. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  SCHOOL  OF  INDUSTRIAL  ART, 
PHILADELPHIA,  JUNE  2,  1897. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  gives  me  very  sincere  pleasure  to  see,  as  I  have 
seen  in  the  last  few  minutes,  this  great  industrial 
school  of  art.  There  is  nothing  like  the  application  of 
art  to  industry.  Nothing  wins  in  this  world  like  industry 
supplemented  by  character.  Industry  and  character  win 
in  every  contest  and  triumph  in  every  field.  I  con 
gratulate  the  young  men  and  young  women  upon  the 
opportunities  which  this  institution  gives  them,  and  I 
congratulate  the  officers  and  board  of  managers  in 
having  charge  of  this  institution.  [Applause.] 


VII. 


ADDRESS  AT  THE   NATIONAL  OPENING  OF  THE  PHILA 
DELPHIA  MUSEUMS,  PHILADELPHIA,  JUNE  2,  1897. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

To  have  assembled  the  representatives  of  great  com 
mercial  and  industrial  interests  at  home  and  abroad  in 
such  large  numbers  is  so  unusual  as  to  make  this  a 
memorable  event.  Chambers  of  commerce  and  boards 
of  trade,  mayors  of  cities  and  governors  of  States,  to 
gether  with  official  visitors  from  fifteen  other  nations, 


24  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

unite  to  testify  to  the  importance  attached  to  this  under 
taking. 

Every  one  of  our  sister  republics  of  this  continent  is 
here  represented  through  its  special  minister,  and  in  a 
number  of  instances  large  delegations  of  prominent 
citizens  have  made  long  journeys  at  great  sacrifice  to 
participate  in  this  significant  occasion.  To  all  we  give 
hearty  greeting  and  a  most  hospitable  welcome. 

No  ordinary  object  could  have  produced  such  an  in 
dustrial  convention.  Interstate  and  international  inter 
ests  and  courtesy  have  contributed  to  its  success  ;  but 
nothing  less  than  a  deep  conviction  in  the  minds  of  the 
people  represented,  that  the  movement  here  begun  will 
eventually  effect  permanent  gains  in  their  commercial 
relations,  can  account  for  its  wide  and  distinguished 
character. 

The  avowed  aim  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums  is  to 
aid  in  the  development  of  commercial  and  industrial 
prosperity.  No  worthier  cause  can  engage  our  energies 
at  this  hour.  It  is  a  most  praiseworthy  one— the  ex 
tension  of  trade  to  be  followed  by  wider  markets,  better 
fields  of  employment,  and  easier  conditions  for  the 
masses.  Such  an  effort  commands  the  instant  approval 
of  all  lovers  of  mankind,  for  with  it  are  linked  the  pros 
perity  of  the  humblest  toiler  and  the  welfare  of  every 
home  and  fireside. 

The  movement  is  inaugurated  on  broad  and  progres 
sive  lines.  Its  authors  and  promoters  believe  that  the 
conditions  of  international  commerce  can  be  directly 
promoted  by  systematic  study  and  demonstrated  by 
scientific  methods.  The  distinguished  body  of  gentle 
men  who  have  planned  this  organization  have  grasped 
great  economic  truths,  and  are  prepared  to  pursue  them 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  25 

to  their  successful  conclusion.  Its  generous  support 
will  increase  its  usefulness. 

One  national  industrial  undertaking  prepares  the  way 
for  another.  A  great  exhibit  like  this  is  an  education 
and  an  inspiration.  It  concentrates  the  attention  of  the 
citizens  It  broadens  their  ideas,  strengthens  their  con 
fidence,  promotes  the  spirit  of  friendly  cooperation  and 
rivalry;  awakens  a  commendable  ambition,  and  encour 
ages  effort  in  the  utilization  of  all  forces  and  processes 
of  production. 

The  World's  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago  was  the 
forerunner  of  this  less  general  but  more  permanent 
contribution  to  the  world's  economic  advance.  Many  of 
the  Chicago  exhibits  here  remain  intact,  and  have  been 
intelligently  supplemented  to  such  an  extent  that  the 
management  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums  make  the 
proud  claim  that  their  exhibition  is  the  most  complete 
and  extensive  of  its  class  now  in  existence. 

Not  only  has  a  wonderful  demonstration  been  made 
of  the  products  and  advancement  of  our  country,  but  of 
those  of  all  the  American  republics.  A  spirit  of  friendly 
and  mutually  advantageous  interchange  and  cooperation 
has  been  exemplified,  which  is  in  itself  an  inspiring  help 
not  only  to  trade  and  commerce,  but  to  international 
comity  and  good  will. 

Good  will  precedes  good  trade. 

The  producer  and  consumer  of  both  continents  are 
here  brought  together  in  close  touch,  and  are  taught  to 
work  together  for  the  common  weal.  In  order  that  new 
markets  may  be  opened  and  a  larger  trade  profitably 
conducted,  the  manufacturer  must  have  the  opportunity 
of  becoming  familiar  with  the  character  of  the  goods 
desired  by  the  consumer.  And  so,  too,  the  consumer 


26  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

should  have  the  opportunity  to  examine  the  goods  which 
the  manufacturer  is  anxious  to  dispose  of  to  him. 

It  follows,  then,  that  a  recognized  central  institution 
of  real  stability  such  as  this  is,  whose  integrity  of  man 
agement  cannot  be  questioned,  with  ample  means  can 
be  made  of  inestimable  advantage  not  only  to  a  genera 
tion  in  a  single  country,  but  to  a  whole  continent  and 
for  the  vast  future.  Ability  as  well  as  capital  is  essen 
tial  to  the  success  of  trade,  and  fortunately  with  both  of 
these  the  Museums  are  well  equipped.  It  is  said  that 
the  data  which  can  here  be  found  ready  for  quick  and 
accurate  reference  are  obtainable  to  a  degree  not  even 
attempted  anywhere  else  in  the  world. 

Under  the  circumstances,  and  even  at  this  early  date, 
it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  a  movement  of  this  kind 
is,  in  its  general  scope,  national— aye,  and  more  than 
that,  international — in  character,  and  to  predict  that  its 
success,  if  wisely  conducted,  will  surprise  even  its  most 
enthusiastic  friends  and  founders.  Resting  upon  busi 
ness  principles,  looking  solely  to  the  welfare  of  the 
country  at  large,  benefiting  other  nations  as  well  as  our 
own,  the  intent  and  realization  of  this  world's  industrial 
object-lesson  are  in  accord  with  the  best  spirit  of  the  age 
and  worthy  of  the  good  will  and  helpfulness  of  every 
patriotic  American. 

I  assure  the  promoters  of  this  enterprise  of  the  deep 
interest  of  our  government  and  the  people  in  its  success. 
I  congratulate  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  justly  re 
nowned  for  the  Centennial  Exposition,  which  first 
demonstrated  to  the  world  the  marvelous  development 
of  our  resources,  that  to  them  have  been  intrusted  the 
care  and  completion  of  this  great  work. 

Well  and  far-sightedly  has  this  municipality  acted  in 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  27 

creating  the  new  institution  as  practically  a  separate 
department  of  its  government.  With  liberal  appropria 
tions  of  money  and  the  gift  of  a  valuable  site,  the  people 
of  this  city,  the  birthplace  of  American  liberty,  have 
once  more  demonstrated  their  patriotic  spirit  and  pur 
pose,  calling  into  fellowship  and  counsel  representatives 
of  the  chief  commercial  bodies  of  this  continent.  The 
United  States  is  a  grateful  debtor  to  Philadelphia.  She 
contributed  immeasurably  to  the  triumph  of  liberty ;  she 
would  now  aid  in  the  triumphs  of  labor. 

Who  can  doubt  that  the  deliberations  of  these  able 
and  public-spirited  men,  acting  together  freely  and  cor 
dially,  animated  by  a  common  impulse  and  a  common 
interest,  will  result  in  still  closer  relations  of  interna 
tional  comity  and  a  higher  prosperity  for  all  ? 

May  God's  blessing  rest  upon  this  worthy  enterprise 
and  upon  those  who  shall  labor  for  its  welfare. 

I  now  declare  the  Philadelphia  Museums  formally 
opened. 

VIII. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  BANQUET  GIVEN  BY  THE  PHILADELPHIA 
MUSEUMS  AND  THE  MANUFACTURERS'  CLUB  AT  THE 
BOURSE,  PHILADELPHIA,  JUNE  2,  1897. 

Dr.  Pepper,  Gentlemen  of  the  Manufacturers'  Club,  Dele 
gates    to    the   International    Convention,  Ladies   and 
Gentlemen  : 
For  the   cordiality  of  your   reception   I   am  indeed 

grateful,  although   from  my  experiences  in  this   great 

city  it  is   not   altogether   surprising  and  unexpected. 

[Applause.] 


28  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

A  recent  visit  to  your  city  gave  me  an  opportunity  to 
feel  the  welcome  heart-touch  of  the  people  of  Philadel 
phia  and  enjoy  their  boundless  hospitality.  [Great 
applause.] 

I  must  tell  you  that  from  first  to  last  I  have  been 
deeply  impressed  with  the  scenes  witnessed  in  this 
city  to-day:  the  remarkable  spectacle  of  the  repre 
sentatives  of  all  the  American  republics,  with  the 
products  of  their  skill  and  their  soil  in  one  common 
warehouse  for  comparison  and  observation,  thanks  to 
Dr.  Pepper  and  the  Philadelphia  Museums.  [Great  ap 
plause.] 

The  first  great  convention  of  these  republics  was 
organized  by  the  matchless  diplomacy  of  that  splendid 
American,  James  G.  Elaine.  [Cheers  and  tremendous 
applause.]  Seven  years  ago  he  brought  the  govern 
ments  of  this  continent  together,  and  taught  the  doc 
trine  that  genuine  reciprocity  in  trade  required  reci 
procity  of  information.  [Great  applause.] 

And  it  was  the  genius  of  the  many  gentlemen  I 
see  around  this  board  to-night  that  originated  the 
Bureau  of  American  Republics,  located  in  the  capital 
city,  which  has  already  done  much  good,  and  which, 
I  believe,  will  yet  play  an  increasingly  important  part 
in  our  trade  relations  with  the  governments  supporting 
it.  [Cheers  and  applause.] 

My  fellow-citizens,  there  is  no  use  in  making  a  prod 
uct  if  you  cannot  find  somebody  to  take  it.  [Applause.] 
The  maker  must  find  a  taker.  [Applause.]  You  will 
not  employ  labor  to  make  a  product  unless  you  can  find 
a  buyer  for  that  product  after  you  have  made  it.  [Cheers 
and  applause.] 

I  am  glad  to  meet  the  representatives  of  the  Ameri- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  29 

can  republics  here  to-night.  I  am  glad  to  meet  the 
representatives  of  all  the  governments  of  the  world 
here  to-night.  I  have  met  the  manufacturers  of  Phila 
delphia  and  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  before.  [Ap 
plause  and  laughter.]  I  met  you  in  the  day  of  your 
highest  prosperity.  [Prolonged  cheering.]  I  now 
meet  you  in  this  your  hour  of  somewhat  prolonged 
adversity. 

But  let  me  tell  you,  my  countrymen,  that  resusci 
tation  will  not  be  promoted  by  recrimination.  [Ap 
plause.]  The  distrust  of  the  present  will  not  be 
relieved  by  a  distrust  of  the  future.  [Applause.]  A 
patriot  makes  a  better  citizen  than  a  pessimist.  [Great 
applause.]  And  we  have  got  to  be  patient.  [Ap 
plause.]  Much  as  we  want  to  move  out  of  the  old 
house,  we  cannot  do  it  until  the  new  one  is  finished. 
[Cheers  and  applause.] 

A  tariff  law  half  made  is  of  no  practical  use  except  to 
indicate  that  in  a  little  while  a  whole  tariff  law  will  be 
done  [applause],  and  it  is  making  progress  [great  ap 
plause].  It  is  reaching  the  end,  and  when  the  end 
comes  we  will  have  business  confidence  and  industrial 
activity.  [Renewed  applause.]  Let  us  keep  steady 
heads  and  steady  hearts.  [Applause.]  The  country 
is  not  going  backward,  but  forward.  [Applause.]  Amer 
ican  energy  has  not  been  destroyed  by  the  storms  of 
the  past,  [Applause.]  It  will  yet  triumph  through  wise 
and  beneficent  legislation.  [Great  cheering.] 

Philadelphians  have  in  the  past  shown  what  busy  in 
dustries  and  well-employed  labor  can  do  to  make  a  great 
city  and  a  contented  population.  [Applause.]  They  do 
not  mean  to  accept  present  conditions  as  permanent 
and  final.  [Cheers.]  They  will  meet  embarrass- 


30  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

ments  as  they  have  bravely  met  them  in  the  past,  and 
in  the  end  will  restore  industries  and  labor  to  their 
former  condition  and  prosperity.  [Great  cheering.] 
And,  gentlemen,  Philadelphia  is  but  a  type  of  Ameri 
can  pluck  and  purpose  everywhere.  [Great  and  pro 
longed  applause.] 


IX. 


ADDRESS  AT  THE  TENNESSEE  CENTENNIAL  EXPOSITION, 
NASHVILLE,  JUNE  11,  1897. 

Mr.  President,  Officers  of  the  Tennessee  Centennial  Exposi 
tion,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

American  nationality,  compared  with  that  of  Europe 
and  the  Orient,  is  still  very  young;  and  yet  we  are 
already  beginning  to  have  age  enough  for  centennial 
anniversaries  in  States  other  than  the  original  thirteen. 
Such  occasions  are  always  interesting,  and  when  cele 
brated  in  a  practical  way,  are  useful  and  instructive. 
Combining  retrospect  and  review,  they  recall  what  has 
been  done  by  State  and  nation,  and  point  out  what  yet 
remains  for  both  to  accomplish  in  order  to  fulfil  their 
highest  destiny. 

This  celebration  is  of  general  interest  to  the  whole 
country,  and  of  special  significance  to  the  people  of  the 
South  and  "West.  It  marks  the  end  of  the  first  century 
of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  the  close  of  the  first  year 
of  its  second  century. 

One  hundred  and  one  years  ago  this  State  was  ad 
mitted  into  the  Union  as  the  sixteenth  member  in  the 
great  family  of  American  commonwealths.  It  was  a 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  31 

welcome  addition  to  the  national  household — a  com 
munity  young,  strong,  and  sturdy,  with  an  honored 
and  heroic  ancestry,  with  fond  anticipations  not  only 
of  its  founders,  but  faith  in  its  success  on  the  part  of 
the  far-seeing  and  sagacious  statesmen  of  the  time  in 
all  parts  of  the  country.  I  am  justified  in  saying  that 
these  anticipations  have  been  grandly  realized,  that  the 
present  of  this  community  of  sterling  worth  is  even 
brighter  than  prophets  of  the  past  had  dared  to  fore 
cast  it. 

The  builders  of  the  State,  who  had  forced  their  way 
through  the  trackless  forests  of  this  splendid  domain, 
brought  with  them  the  same  high  ideals  and  fearless 
devotion  to  home  and  country,  founded  on  resistance  to 
oppression,  which  have  everywhere  made  illustrious  the 
American  character.  Whether  it  was  the  territory  of 
Virginia  or  that  of  North  Carolina  mattered  little  to 
them.  They  came  willing  and  eager  to  fight  for  inde 
pendence  and  liberty,  and  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution 
were  ever  loyal  to  the  standard  of  Washington.  When 
their  representatives  served  in  the  Colonial  Assembly  of 
North  Carolina  they  chose  —  for  the  first  time  in  our  coun 
try,  so  far  as  I  know — the  great  name  of  Washington 
for  the  district  in  which  they  lived,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  Revolution  sought  to  organize  their  territory  into  a 
State,  to  be  known  as  the  State  of  Franklin,  in  grateful 
homage  to  the  name  of  another  of  its  most  distinguished 
patriot  commoners. 

Spain  had  sought  to  possess  their  territory  by  right  of 
discovery  as  a  part  of  Florida.  France  claimed  it  by 
right  of  cession  as  a  part  of  Louisiana,  and  England  as 
hers  by  conquest.  But  neither  contention  could  for  an 
instant  be  recognized.  Moved  by  the  highest  instincts 


32  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

of  self-government,  guided  by  conscience  and  the  loftiest 
motives  of  patriotism,  tinder  gallant  old  John  Sevier,  at 
King's  Mountain,  your  forefathers  bravely  vindicated 
their  honor  and  gloriously  won  their  independence. 

Thus  came  the  new  State,  second  only  then  of  the 
now  mighty  West  and  Southwest.  And  it  has  made  a 
wonderful  history  for  itself.  Tennessee  has  sometimes 
been  called  the  "mother  of  Southwestern  statesmen." 
It  furnished  us  the  immortal  Jackson,  whose  record  in 
war  and  whose  administration  in  peace  as  the  head  of 
the  great  republic  shine  on  with  the  advancing  years. 
The  century  has  only  added  to  the  luster  of  his  name, 
increased  the  obligations  of  his  countrymen,  and  exalted 
him  in  their  affectionate  regard.  Polk  and  Johnson  also 
were  products  of  this  great  State,  and  many  more  heroes 
of  distinguished  deeds,  whose  names  will  come  unbidden 
to  your  memories  while  I  speak. 

Tennesseeans  have  ever  been  volunteer,  not  drafted, 
patriots.  In  1846.  when  twenty-four  hundred  soldiers 
were  called  for,  thirty  thousand  loyal  Tennesseeans 
offered  their  services ;  and  amid  the  trials  and  terrors  of 
the  great  Civil  War,  under  conditions  of  peculiar  distress 
and  embarrassment,  her  people  divided  on  contending 
sides.  But  upon  whichever  side  found,  they  fought 
fearless  of  sacrifice  or  death.  Now,  happily,  there 
are  no  contending  sides  in  this  glorious  common 
wealth,  or  in  any  part  of  our  beloved  country.  The 
men  who  opposed  each  other  in  dreadful  battle  a 
third  of  a  century  ago  are  once  more  and  forever 
united  in  heart  and  purpose  under  one  flag  in  a  never- 
to-be  broken  Union. 

The  glory  of  Tennessee  is  not  alone  in  the  brilliant 
names  it  has  contributed  to  history,  or  the  heroic  patriot- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  33 

ism  displayed  by  the  people  in  so  many  crises  of  our 
national  life ;  but  its  material  and  industrial  wealth, 
social  advancement,  and  population  are  striking  and 
significant  in  their  growth  and  development.  Thirty- 
five  thousand  settlers  in  this  State  in  1790  had  in 
creased  to  one  million  one  hundred  and  nine  thousand 
in  1860,  and  to-day  it  has  a  population  closely  approxi 
mating  two  million.  Its  manufactures,  which  in  1860 
were  small  and  unimportant,  in  1890  had  reached 
seventy-two  million  dollars  in  value,  while  its  farm 
products  now  aggregate  more  than  sixty-two  million 
dollars  annually,  Its  river  commerce  on  three  great 
international  waterways,  its  splendid  railways  operating 
nearly  three  thousand  miles  of  road,  its  mineral  wealth 
of  incalculable  value,  form  a  splendid  augury  for  the 
future.  I  am  sure  no  better  workmen  could  be  found 
than  the  people  of  Tennessee  to  turn  these  confident 
promises  into  grand  realities. 

Your  exposition  shows,  better  than  any  words  of  mine 
can  tell,  the  details  of  your  wealth  of  resources  and 
power  of  production.  You  have  done  wisely  in  exhibit 
ing  these  to  your  own  people  and  to  your  sister  States, 
and  at  no  time  could  the  display  be  more  effective  than 
now,  when  what  the  country  needs  more  than  all 
else  is  restored  confidence  in  itself.  This  exposition 
demonstrates  directly  your  own  faith  and  purpose,  and 
signifies  in  the  widest  sense  your  true  and  unfailing 
belief  in  the  irrepressible  pluck  of  the  American  people, 
and  is  a  promising  indication  of  the  return  of  Ameri 
can  prosperity. 

The  knowledge  which  this  beautiful  and  novel  exposi 
tion  gives  will  surely  develop  your  trade,  increase  your 
output,  enlarge  your  fields  of  employment,  promote 


34  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

inventive  competition,  and  extend  your  markets,  and  so 
eventually  pay  for  all  it  cost,  as  well  as  justify  local 
sentiment  and  encourage  State  pride. 

Men  and  women  I  see  about  me  from  all  parts  of  the 
country,  and  thousands  more  will  assemble  here  before 
the  exposition  is  closed.  Let  us  always  remember  that 
whatever  differences  about  politics  may  have  existed,  or 
still  exist,  we  are  all  Americans  before  we  are  partizans, 
and  cherish  the  welfare  of  all  the  people  above  party  or 
State.  Citizens  of  different  States,  we  yet  love  all  the 
States ;  and  in  turn  all  the  States,  by  ties  of  interest, 
affection,  and  immortal  memories,  are  attached  to  the 
nation  with  unfailing  and  unceasing  love. 

The  lesson  of  the  hour,  then,  is  this:  to  be  faith 
ful  to  our  opportunities  in  our  several  spheres,  never 
forgetting  that  not  one  citizen  or  several  citizens  have 
the  sole  care  of  our  government,  but  all  the  citizens  of 
all  the  States  are  equally  responsible  for  its  progress 
and  preservation,  and  all  are  equal  recipients  of  good  or 
ill.  Hopefully  looking  into  the  future,  let  us  firmly 
resolve  that  whatever  adverse  conditions  may  tempo 
rarily  impede  our  national  progress,  nothing  shall  per 
manently  stay  or  defeat  it. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  35 


X. 


SPEECH  TO  THE  VERMONT  FISH  AND  GAME  LEAGUE,  AT 
ISLE  LA  MOTTE,  VERMONT,  AUGUST  C,  1897. 

Mr.  Toastniaster  and  my  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  wish  I  had  fitting  words  to  respond  to  this  gracious 
welcome  and  this  most  generous  hospitality.  I  can  only 
say  I  reciprocate  the  sentiment  expressed  by  the  song. 
[Cries  of  u  Good  !  "]  I  like  Vermont ;  I  like  her  people. 
I  am  never  in  the  presence  of  a  New  England  audience 
that  I  do  not  recall  that  the  civilization  of  New  England 
penetrates  every  State  and  Territory  of  the  American 
Union ;  and  I  do  not  forget  that  wherever  New  England 
civilization  is  found,  loyal  and  patriotic  American  men 
and  women  are  found. 

One  of  the  things  I  promised  myself  when  I  left  the 
city  of  Washington  was  that  I  would  not  make  a  speech. 
One  of  the  assurances  that  I  received  from  the  officers 
of  the  Fish  and  Game  League  was  that  I  would  not  be 
required  to  make  a  speech ;  but  from  what  I  have  heard 
of  this  league  I  am  prepared  to  believe  almost  anything 
of  it.  [Applause.] 

As  Americans  we  have  a  right  to  rejoice  in  our  glorious 
civilization.  I  say  to  Vermonters  and  say  to  all  New 
England  that  to  them  this  country  owes  much— more 
than  it  can  ever  repay— for  the  self-governing  principle 
they  have  sent  through  all  the  States  of  the  Union. 
[Great  applause.] 


36  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

XL 

REMARKS  AT  PROCTOR,  VERMONT,  AUGUST  12,  1897. 

Fellow-Citizens : 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  respond  for  a  moment  to 
the  cordial  welcome  which  you  have  given  me  this  even 
ing.  I  recall  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  my  visit  to 
this  place  five  years  ago,  and  I  am  glad  to  renew  your 
acquaintance  here  to-night.  I  am  glad  to  see  about  me 
so  many,  not  only  of  the  men  and  women,  but  of  the 
boys  and  girls  of  Proctor.  There  is  in  it  all  the  sug 
gestion  of  the  family,  where  virtue  prevails— the  greatest 
of  all  virtues,  the  home  virtue,  upon  which  is  founded 
our  free  institutions.  I  trust  we  may  always  preserve 
the  purity  of  our  American  homes.  From  this  comes 
good  citizenship,  and  from  it  I  see  the  glory  of  our 
country.  I  am  glad  to  enjoy  the  entertainment  of  your 
distinguished  fellow-citizen  and  my  friend  [Senator 
Proctor],  and  to  renew  my  friendship  with  you.  [Great 
applause.] 

XII. 

SPEECH  TO  ASSEMBLAGE  AT  RAILWAY-STATION, 
SYRACUSE,  NEW  YORK,  AUGUST  24,  1897. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  am  extremely  pleased  to  visit  your  city,  and  I  appre 
ciate  your  generous  welcome.  This  is  a  year  when  in  a 
very  marked  degree  patriotism  is  being  exalted  and 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  37 

patriots  are  being  honored.  In  the  month  of  April,  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  the  people  of  that  metropolis 
dedicated  a  magnificent  mausoleum  to  that  greatest  of 
all  the  great  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War,  General  Ulysses 
S.  Grant.  [Great  applause.]  In  May  following,  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  there  was  unveiled  an  equestrian 
statue  to  that  greatest  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  General 
George  Washington  [great  applause]  ;  and  only  a  few 
days  ago,  in  the  inland  metropolis  in  the  State  of  Illinois, 
there  was  unveiled  a  superb  monument  to  that  great 
volunteer  soldier,  the  hero  of  two  wars,  General  John  A. 
Logan.  [Great  applause.]  This  week  the  Empire  State 
of  New  York  is  laying  at  the  feet  of  the  largest  patri 
otic  body  in  the  world  its  tribute  of  affection  for  the 
conspicuous  services  rendered  in  the  Civil  War  by  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  [Great  applause.]  We 
cannot  exalt  patriotism  too  high ;  we  cannot  too  much 
encourage  love  of  country;  for,  my  fellow-citizens,  as 
long  as  patriotism  exists  in  the  hearts  of  the  American 
people,  so  long  will  our  matchless  institutions  be  secure 
and  permanent.  [Great  applause.] 

XIII. 

REMARKS  FROM  BALCONY  OF  HOTEL  AT  BUFFALO, 
NEW  YORK,  AUGUST  24,  1897. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  come  to  greet  you  and  to  thank  you  at  the  same  time 
for  your  generous  welcome.  The  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  seems  to  be  on  foot  to-day,  but  not  carrying 
arms.  These  were  long  since  laid  aside,  and  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  is  to-day  dedicated  to  peace  and 


38  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

the  Union  forever.  I  am  glad  to  be  in  the  city  of  Buf 
falo  with  my  comrades  of  '61  and  '65,  and  my  comrades 
now.  [Great  applause.] 


XIV. 

SPEECH  AT  BANQUET  OF  ELLICOTT  CLUB,  BUFFALO, 
NEW  YORK,  AUGUST  24,  1897. 

Mr.  Toastmaster  and  Comrades  and  my  Felloiv-Citizens  : 

I  wish  I  might  frame  fitting  words  to  make  suitable 
response  to  the  more  than  gracious  welcome  which 
you  have  accorded  me  here  to-night.  I  come  with  no 
set  form  of  speech,  I  come  with  no  studied  phrases  to 
present  to  you,  but  in  the  spirit  of  comradeship  [great 
applause],  to  talk  with  you  as  we  have  often  talked  in 
the  past,  around  the  camp-fires  in  war  as  well  as  the 
camp-fires  in  peace.  [Applause.]  To  me,  I  see  by  the 
program,  has  been  assigned  the  toast,  "The  Country 
and  its  Defenders."  My  fellow- citizens,  blessed  is  that 
country  whose  defenders  are  patriots.  [Applause.] 

Blessed  is  that  country  whose  soldiers  fight  for  it  and 
are  willing  to  give  the  best  they  have,  the  best  that  any 
man  has, — their  own  lives, — to  preserve  it,  because  they 
love  it.  [Applause.]  Such  an  army  the  United  States 
has  always  commanded  in  every  crisis  of  its  history. 
[Applause.]  From  the  War  of  the  Revolution  to  the 
late  Civil  War,  the  men  followed  that  flag  in  battle,  be 
cause  they  loved  it  and  believed  in  what  it  represented. 
[Applause.]  That  was  the  stuff  of  which  the  volunteer 
army  of  '61  was  made.  [Applause.]  Every  one  of  them 
not  only  fought,  but  thought.  [Applause.]  And  many 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  39 

of  them  did  their  own  thinking  [laughter  and  applause], 
and  did  not  always  agree  with  their  commanders. 
[Laughter  and  applause.] 

You  recall  that  young  soldier  in  the  late  war,  upon  the 
battle-line,  ahead  with  the  color-guard,  bearing  the  Stars 
and  Stripes  way  in  front  of  the  line,  but  the  enemy  still 
in  front  of  him.  The  general  called  out  to  the  color-bearer, 
"  Bring  those  colors  back  to  the  line  "  ;  and,  quicker  than 
any  bullet,  the  young  soldier  answered  back,  "Bring 
the  line  up  to  the  colors."  [Prolonged  applause.] 

It  was  the  voice  of  command ;  there  was  a  man  be 
hind  it,  and  there  was  patriotism  in  his  heart. 

And  so  more  than  two  million  brave  men  thus  re 
sponded,  and  made  up  an  army  grander  than  any  army 
that  ever  shook  the  earth  with  its  tread  [applause],  and 
engaged  in  as  holy  a  cause  as  soldiers  ever  fought 
for.  [Applause.]  What  defenders,  my  countrymen, 
have  we  now  ?  We  have  the  remnant  of  this  old,  magnif 
icent,  matchless  army  of  which  I  have  been  speaking, 
and  then,  as  allies  in  any  future  war,  we  have  the  brave 
men  who  fought  against  us  on  Southern  battle-fields. 
[Great  applause.] 

The  army  of  Grant  and  the  army  of  Lee  are  together. 
[Applause.]  They  are  one  now  in  faith,  in  hope,  in  fra 
ternity,  in  purpose,  and  in  an  invincible  patriotism. 
[Applause.]  And,  therefore,  the  country  is  in  no  danger. 
[Applause.]  In  justice  strong,  in  peace  secure,  and  in 
devotion  to  the  flag  all  one.  [Great  applause.] 


40  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


XV. 


SPEECH  AT  G.  A.  R.  CAMP-FIRE,  ASBUEY  CHURCH, 
BUFFALO,  NEW  YORK,  AUGUST  24,  1897. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

The  saddest  part  of  the  reunion  of  the  old  soldiers  of 
the  army  is  that  at  every  annual  encampment  we  miss 
many  familiar  faces.  Our  comrades  are  diminishing 
with  the  passing  years;  the  circle  is  narrowing,  and 
every  annual  roll-call  discloses  one  and  still  another  not 
present,  but  accounted  for.  They  have  gone  from 
human  sight  j  they  have  passed  from  association  with 
us  here;  they  have  gone  to  join  the  great  majority  of 
that  army  with  which  they  were  so  long  associated,  and 
they  sleep,  to-night  upon  another  shore.  Grant  has 
gone,  Sherman  and  Sheridan  and  Thomas  and  McPher- 
son  and  Logan,  and  a  long  list  besides,  rich  in  precious 
memories.  And  not  only  have  the  great  commanders 
gone,  but  the  rank  and  file  of  that  splendid  army  have 
joined  their  old  commanders  on  the  other  shore.  It  is 
our  duty,  it  is  our  business,  to  perpetuate  their  mem 
ories;  to  preserve  and  improve  and  strengthen  and 
glorify  the  institutions  for  which  they  fought  and  for 
which  they  gave  their  lives. 

I  thank  you,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  for  this  moment 
that  you  have  given  me  to  pay  my  respects  to  that  noble 
army  of  volunteers.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  41 


XVI. 

SPEECH  AT  G.  A.  R.  CAMP-FIRE,  DELAWARE  AVENUE 
M.  E.  CHURCH,  BUFFALO,  NEW  YORK,  AUGUST  24, 
1897. 

Gentlemen : 

I  have  come  to  this  presence  to-night  that  I  might 
pay  my  respects  to  my  old  comrades,  and  lay  at  their 
feet  my  tribute  of  love  and  appreciation. 

It  has  been  thirty-six  years  since  the  beginning  of 
the  great  Civil  War,  and  thirty-two  years  since  its  close. 
It  seems  not  so  long  nor  so  far  away,  and  when  we  re 
member  that  more  than  a  million  of  the  soldiers  of  that 
war  still  survive,  and  that  in  this  noble  city  to-night  are 
representatives  of  that  grand  army  that  fought  for  hu 
man  liberty  in  as  noble  a  cause  as  any  in  which  mankind 
ever  engaged,  it  seems  almost  impossible  that  we  are  a 
third  of  a  century  from  the  close  of  the  great  struggle. 
When  the  war  commenced  we  had  no  conception  of  its 
length,  and  we  had  less  conception  of  the  great  results 
which  were  to  follow  from  that  struggle.  We  thought 
that  the  Union  to  be  saved  was  the  Union  as  it  was, 
forgetting  that  wrars  and  revolutions  cannot  be  pre 
scribed  and  the  circle  of  their  influence  determined  in 
advance.  Nobody  believed— I  mean  of  the  great  mass 
of  the  people— that  with  the  end  of  that  war  would  be  the 
end  of  human  slavery.  But  not  from  men  was  our 
issue ;  from  Him  who  is  a  sovereign  of  land  and  of 
sea  came  our  ordeal  of  battle,  that  men  might  be  free. 
And  as  the  result  of  that  great  civil  struggle  we  have 


42  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

the  greatest  government  because  we  have  the  freest  gov 
ernment,  and  we  have  the  freest  government  because  we 
have  an  equal  government,  governed  equally  by  equal 
citizens  everywhere.  [Applause.]  And  it  is  the  busi 
ness  of  the  living,  it  is  the  business  of  the  citizen,  it  is 
the  business  of  the  men  and  the  women  in  every  part  of 
our  common  country,  to  cultivate  the  highest  and  best 
citizenship  j  for  upon  it  rests  the  destiny  of  our  govern 
ment.  [Applause.] 

I  must  be  excused,  my  fellow-citizens,  from  attempting 
to  do  more  at  this  time  than  to  express  my  gratification 
at  being  permitted  to  mingle  again  with  the  old  soldiers 
of  the  war,  and  to  congratulate  them  that  they  have 
assembled  this  year  in  the  city  of  Buffalo,  which  is  giving 
to  them  such  boundless  hospitality.  [Great  applause.] 


XVII. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  REUNION  OF  THE  TWENTY-THIRD  OHIO 
REGIMENT,  AT  FREMONT,  OHIO,  SEPTEMBER  2,  1897. 

Mr.  President,  my  Comrades,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

I  am  glad  to  meet  my  fellow-citizens  of  my  native 
State  that  I  love  so  well  and  which  has  so  much  and  so 
long  honored  me.  [Cheers.]  I  am  glad  to  meet  with 
you  in  the  city  of  Fremont,  about  the  hearthstone  of  our 
old  commander,  now  gone,  whom  we  all  loved  so  much. 
[Cheers.]  On  behalf  of  my  comrades  of  the  Twenty- 
third  Ohio  I  want  to  thank  the  mayor  and  the  people 
of  the  city  for  the  gracious  hospitality  they  have  given 
us  to-day. 

My  comrades,  the  memories  of  the  war  are  sweeter 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  43 

than  service  in  the  war.  [Laughter.]  It  is  a  good  deal 
pleasanter  and  very  much  safer  to  fight  our  battles  o'er 
as  we  are  doing  to-day  than  it  was  to  fight  them  from 
'61  to  '65.  But  we  could  not  have  had  these  glorious 
memories  if  we  had  not  rendered  the  service— a  service 
rendered  in  freedom's  cause,  and  for  a  country  that  is 
forever  saved.  We  had  a  good  regiment,  but  there 
were  nearly  two  hundred  good  regiments  from  our  good 
State  [cheers],  and  there  were  two  million  men  and 
upward  just  like  you  from  all  of  the  Northern  States 
and  Territories  of  the  Union,  who  were  willing  to  do 
and  die  for  the  government  and  for  the  flag.  [Cheers.] 

"We  had  a  good  regiment ;  first,  because  we  had  good 
private  soldiers,  and  second,  because  we  had  good 
commanders.  Every  one  of  our  ten  companies  was 
well  officered.  And  then,  think  of  the  field-  and  staff- 
officers  that  the  Twenty-third  Regiment  had — no  better 
anywhere  in  the  service.  That  great  tactician,  that 
magnificent  disciplinarian,  that  leader  of  armies,  General 
William  S.  Rosecrans.  [Cheers.]  God  bless  him  !  Let 
that  be  our  prayer  here  to-day  as  our  love  goes  out  to 
him  in  his  distant  home  in  California. 

And  so  officers  and  men  made  the  Twenty-third  a 
splendid  regiment.  But  it  was  the  rank  and  file  of 
that  regiment  that,  after  all,  gave  it  its  glory.  This 
old  flag  [pointing  to  the  regimental  flag  which  stood 
before  him]  was  never  shot  down  that  a  hundred 
men  did  not  fly  to  pick  it  up  and  lift  it  aloft.  [Cheers.] 
You  did  your  duty  j  that  is  all  that  anybody  can  do. 
The  Union  soldiers  all  did  their  duty.  That  is  honor 
enough,  but  the  glory  of  it  is  that  we  have  a  reunited,  a 
recreated  country.  [Cheers.]  That  is  the  price  of  your 
sacrifice ;  and  to-day,  instead  of  having  sectional  divi- 


44  SPEECHES  AND  ADDEESSES 

sions  beneath  this  flag,  we  have  none.  They  are  all 
obliterated,  and  the  men  who  fought  for  this  flag  and 
the  men  who  opposed  it,  on  the  many  battle-fields  of 
the  South,  are  now  forever  united  in  faith  and  friend 
ship  for  its  defense.  [Cheers.] 

No  man  can  look  on  this  great  American  audience 
to-day  and  not  feel  that  the  country's  institutions  are 
safe.  There  is  a  flag  in  the  hand  of  every  child,  and 
patriotism  in  every  man's  heart.  [Cheers.] 

But,  my  fellow-citizens,  it  is  not  the  business  of  the 
presiding  officer  to  make  a  speech.  I  have  already 
talked  to  you  too  long.  We  have  an  army— most  of 
them  retired,  it  is  true — of  distinguished  orators  on 
this  platform  here  to-day.  I  have  the  very  great 
pleasure  now  of  presenting  to  this  audience  an  old 
comrade,  a  distinguished  soldier,  commanding  a  Michi 
gan  regiment,  once  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  (the  most  patriotic  body 
on  earth),  the  present  Secretary  of  War,  General  Russell 
A.  Alger.  [Applause.] 

XVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  STATE  FAIR,  COLUMBUS,  OHIO, 
SEPTEMBER  3,  1897. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

It  is  almost  a  hopeless  task  to  undertake  to  make 
myself  heard  by  this  assemblage.  After  more  than 
eighteen  months  of  absence  from  the  capital  city  of 
my  State,  it  is  peculiarly  gratifying  to  me  to  return  to 
these  beautiful  agricultural  grounds  to  meet  my  old 
friends  and  fellow-citizens,  with  whom,  for  so  many 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  45 

years,  I  have  been  associated.  If  I  had  been  asked  to 
select  a  greeting  most  agreeable  to  myself,  it  would 
have  been  that  greeting  which  the  committee  has  pre 
pared  of  the  children  of  the  schools  of  the  State  assem 
bled  on  these  grounds  to-day.  [Applause.] 

The  presence  of  forty  thousand  school-children  com 
mands  our  affection  and  inspires  our  hope  j  and  I  con 
gratulate  the  children  of  Ohio  that  they  enjoy  ex 
ceptional  opportunities  for  education  at  the  hands  of 
the  government  of  the  State.  No  other  State  has  higher 
common-school  advantages  than  the  State  of  Ohio  •  and 
it  is  gratifying  to  remember  that  half  a  million  children 
every  day  in  our  State  crowd  the  door-steps  of  our  public 
schools  in  search  of  knowledge  to  fit  them  for  the  grave 
and  responsible  duties  of  life. 

There  is  one  thing  of  which  the  United  States  can 
proudly  boast,  and  that  is  our  great  public-school  system, 
where  the  boys  and  girls  from  every  walk  of  life  assemble 
in  full  equality  and  enjoy  equally  with  all  their  fellows 
all  the  advantages  of  public  instruction. 

I  am  glad  to  meet  these  school-children  to-day. 
Children's  day  it  is  to  you  now,  but  in  a  little  while  it 
will  be  citizens'  day  with  all  of  you.  Upon  you  in  a 
little  while  will  rest  the  duty  as  well  as  the  responsibility 
of  carrying  on  the  great  political  fabric  established  by 
the  fathers,  and  bearing  the  banner  they  have  so 
proudly  borne  in  the  past.  [Great  applause.] 

God  bless  the  school-children  of  Ohio !  God  bless 
the  school-children  of  America,  and  guide  them  to  in 
telligence  and  virtue  and  morality  and  patriotism  j  and 
with  these  elements  dominating  our  citizenship,  our 
institutions  are  safe  and  our  republic  will  be  glorious 
forever.  [Great  applause.] 


46  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

XIX. 

SPEECH  AT  AKRON,  OHIO,  SEPTEMBER  4,  1897. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  could  not  for  a  moment  think  of  having  you  all  so 
far  away  from  me  when  you  are  all  so  near  my  heart. 
It  seems  like  coming  back  home  to  come  to  the  city  of 
Akron.  For  more  than  twenty  years  I  have  enjoyed 
the  friendship  and  confidence  of  the  people  of  this  city 
and  of  the  county  of  Summit.  I  am  glad  to  be  with 
you  here,  if  only  for  a  moment,  that  I  may  look  into 
your  happy  and  hopeful  faces.  On  this  very  spot  I 
have  seen  great  assemblages  of  my  fellow-citizens.  I 
have  been  welcomed  by  you  many  times  in  the  past, 
but  no  welcome  you  have  ever  given  me  was  so 
grateful  to  my  heart  as  the  one  here  to-day. 

We  are  all  of  us  Americans.  We  are  all  of  us  for  our 
country,  for  its  prosperity  and  its  glory ;  and,  in  the 
short  time  I  have  allotted  to  me,  I  can  only  wish  for  all 
of  you  health  and  peace  and  happiness,  the  realization 
of  your  highest  aspirations,  and  that  your  industry  and 
thrift  may  have  their  greatest  rewards.  [Great  applause.] 

XX. 

REMARKS  AT  CANTON,  OHIO,  SEPTEMBER  4,  1897. 

My  Felloiv-Citizens  : 

I  do  not  know  what  I  can  say  to  this  great  concourse 
of  my  fellow-townsmen,  except  that  I  am  glad  to  be  with 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  47 

you  once  more,  to  look  into  these  familiar  faces  and  to 
hear  the  music  of  this  band  that  is  a  credit  and  a  de 
light  not  only  to  the  city  of  Canton,  but  to  all  the  cities 
and  communities  which  it  visits. 

It  gave  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  hear  this  band  and  to 
hear  of  it  words  of  commendation  from  all  quarters. 
I  am  glad,  my  fellow-citizens,  to  be  at  home  again.  I 
am  glad  for  this  manifestation  of  your  good  will.  [Great 
applause.] 


XXI. 

REMARKS  TO  THE  LINCOLN  CLUB,  SOMERSET, 
PENNSYLVANIA,  SEPTEMBER  9,  1897. 

My  Felloiv-CUizens : 

I  am  both  pleased  and  honored  to  meet  my  friends  of 
Somerset  County,  and  to  acknowledge  the  gracious  com 
pliment  of  this  call  and  serenade  on  the  part  of  the 
Lincoln  Club  of  Somerset.  [Cheers.]  I  am  glad  to  meet 
my  countrymen,  irrespective  of  party  [cheers],  for  all  of 
us  are  interested  in  the  welfare,  prosperity,  and  gran 
deur  of  our  common  country.  [Cheers.] 

I  wish  for.  all  of  you  happiness  in  your  lives  and  in 
your  homes,  prosperity  in  the  occupations  which  may 
engage  you,  and  with  all  of  you  I  wish  for  the  progress 
and  glory  of  the  United  States.  [Loud  cheers.] 

After  home,  our  first  concern  is  country,  and  our  coun 
try,  with  its  splendid  institutions  and  its  great  possi 
bilities,  is  safe  so  long  as  virtue  resides  in  the  home  and 
patriotism  abides  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  [Pro 
longed  applause.] 


48  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


XXII. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  RECEPTION  OF  R.  P.  CUMMINS  POST, 
Gr.  A.  R.,  SOMERSET,  PENNSYLVANIA,  SEPTEMBER  10, 
1897. 

Comrades : 

Nothing  can  be  more  grateful  to  me  than  to  receive 
this  honor  and  compliment  from  my  old  comrades  of  the 
war.  I  never  look  into  the  faces  of  the  old  soldiers  who 
braved  the  dangers  of  that  time  that  I  am  not  touched 
deeply,  and  it  gives  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  meet  and 
greet  those  gathered  here  to-night.  I  shall  be  glad  to 
shake  the  hand  of  each  one  of  you,  if  it  be  your  wish. 
I  discover  that  the  population  of  Somerset  is  constantly 
increasing.  [Laughter  and  applause.] 


XXIII. 

» 

SPEECH  AT  THE  HOOSAC  VALLEY  AGRICULTURAL  SOCI 
ETY  FAIR,  NORTH  ADAMS,  MASSACHUSETTS,  SEPTEMBER 
22,  1897. 

My  Fellow- Citizens : 

This  unexpected  incident  of  my  visit  to  the  Berkshire 
Hills  is  especially  gratifying  to  me,  because  it  gives  me 
the  pleasure  and  opportunity  of  meeting  the  people  of 
Massachusetts  and  expressing  in  their  presence  my  re 
gard  for  them  and  their  noble  State.  [Applause.] 

A  great  State  is  a  valued  inheritance,  all  the  more 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  49 

when  it  has  for  its  support  an  illustrious  past.  This 
you  have  in  as  great  measure  as  any  commonwealth  in 
the  Union.  [Applause.]  No  other  has  a  prouder  his 
tory  5  no  other  carries  more  priceless  memories  ;  no 
other  commands  greater  respect  and  veneration. 
Loving  liberty,  and  enjoying  its  blessed  privileges 
yourselves,  you  have  not  been  unmindful  of  others, 
but  have  greatly  aided  in  securing  it  for  those  less 
fortunate.  [Applause.]  You  have  been  a  mighty  force 
in  the  upbuilding  and  progress  of  the  republic  from 
the  beginning,  and  your  influence  has  been  unfailing 
for  all  that  is  good  in  government  and  all  that  is 
exalted  in  citizenship.  [Great  applause.] 

The  New  England  home  is  no  longer  confined  to 
New  England.  It  has  been  established  in  every  part  of 
the  country,  and  from  it  go  out  good  thoughts  and 
deeds,  good  men  and  women,  helpful  in  sustaining  our 
glorious  fabric  of  government,  and  advancing  justice, 
liberty,  and  peace  among  men.  [Applause.]  God  bless 
and  prosper  the  American  home  and  the  American 
people !  Upon  these  rest  the  strength  and  virtue  and 
permanence  of  the  nation,  which  we  pray  our  heavenly 
Father  to  ever  have  in  his  sacred  keeping. 


XXIV. 

REMARKS  AT  PITTSFIELD,  MASSACHUSETTS, 
SEPTEMBER  24,  1897. 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Fellow- Citizens : 

I  desire  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the  gracious 
welcome  which  you  have   given   me   as   I  journeyed 

4 


50  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

through  your  city  on  my  way  to  Lenox.  One  of  the 
most  gratifying  conditions  to  be  found  to-day  is  that 
feeling  of  amity  and  friendship  and  fraternity  exist 
ing  in  all  sections  of  our  country.  These  boys  and 
these  girls,  whom  I  see  around  me  in  such  vast  numbers, 
must  in  a  little  while  take  upon  themselves  the  duty 
of  citizenship.  We  have  to-day  a  Union  stronger  and 
better  and  firmer  than  it  ever  was  before,  and  if  these 
young  people  continue  the  morality  and  virtue  practised 
in  their  youth,  I  know  they  will  be  prepared  to  carry 
forward  this  great  Union  to  still  greater  glories.  [Great 
applause.] 

XXV. 

SPEECH  ON  THE  OCCASION  OF  THE  LAYING  OF  THE 
CORNER-STONE  OF  THE  MEMORIAL  AND  LIBRARY 
BUILDING,  ADAMS,  MASSACHUSETTS,  OCTOBER  1,  1897. 

Mr.  Commander,  my  Comrades  and  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  has  given  me  very  great  pleasure  to  participate  with 
the  citizens  of  Adams  in  this  memorial  service,  which 
will  ever  be  remembered  by  the  people  of  this  town,  be 
cause  it  is  intended  to  perpetuate  patriotism  and  is  their 
testimony  to  patriotic  devotion.  You  have  authorized 
the  erection  of  this  statue  that  you  may  commemorate 
the  services  and  sacrifices  of  the  brave  men  who  went 
out  from  this  community  more  than  thirty  years  ago, 
willing  to  give  the  best  they  had  and  all  they  had  that 
the  Union  might  be  preserved,  and  the  flag  continue  to 
float  in  honor.  Every  memorial  building  erected  to  the 
soldiers  of  the  war  is  a  monument  to  duty  well  done, 
and  is  a  lesson  in  patriotism  to  the  generations  that  are 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  51 

to  follow.  I  rejoice  with  you  to-day  that  the  men  for 
whom  this  monument  is  to  be  builded  did  not  die  in 
vain;  that  the  Union  for  which  they  fought  and  for 
which  they  fell  is  stronger,  grander,  and  more  enduring 
than  ever ;  and  it  is  with  you,  with  the  living  and  those 
who  are  to  come  after— it  is  for  them  to  carry  forward 
this  government,  and  lift  it  to  still  greater  achieve 
ments.  [Great  applause.] 


XXVI. 

REMARKS  IN  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE, 
CINCINNATI,  OCTOBER  29,  1897. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  gives  me  very  sincere  pleasure  to  be  greeted  once 
more  by  this  representative  body  of  business  men,  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Cincinnati.  Of  the  many 
things  that  are  gratifying  to  us  in  this  country  of  ours, 
nothing  gives  me  greater  pleasure  than  the  unity  of 
feeling  and  the  fraternal  spirit  everywhere  manifested 
—in  the  North  and  in  the  South.  Love  of  country, 
attachment  to  our  free  institutions,  are  everywhere 
apparent. 

But  I  am  here  not  to  speak,  but  to  meet  the  public, 
which  it  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  do.  [Great  ap 
plause.] 


62  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


XXVII. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  DINNER  OF  THE  COMMERCIAL  CLUB 
OF  CINCINNATI,  SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  30,  1897. 

Members  of  the  Commercial  Club  and  Guests  : 

Appreciating  the  purposes  of  the  Commercial  Club,  I 
account  myself  fortunate  to  be  its  guest  to-night,  with 
the  privilege  of  meeting  old  and  valued  friends,  whose 
support  and  confidence  have  encouraged  me  and  still 
encourage  me  in  the  performance  of  public  duty.  Cin 
cinnati  has  for  me  the  pleasantest  associations  and 
memories,  and  I  may  be  pardoned  if  I  have  a  feeling  of 
home-coming  as  I  stand  in  this  presence  in  the  chief 
city  of  the  State  where  I  was  born,  receiving  your  warm 
welcome,  and  knowing  it  to  be  sincere. 

There  is  even  more  that  is  gratifying  to  me  in  this 
assemblage,  because  it  represents  men  of  all  parties 
and  creeds,  united  in  a  common  aim,  and  a  most 
worthy  one— that  of  promoting  good  government  and 
disseminating  those  ideas  which  will  best  insure  the 
honor  and  prosperity  of  the  country.  We  gain  by  in 
telligent  discussion  of  public  questions  carried  on,  in  an 
organization  like  yours,  not  from  a  standpoint  of  par- 
tizanship,  but  of  good  citizenship. 

What  will  make  the  nation  strongest  and  best ;  what 
will  make  its  citizenship  the  most  useful  and  effective  in 
government?  These  are  inquiries  ever  pressing  for 
answer  with  every  thoughtful  man.  What  will  arouse 
public  and  private  conscience  to  the  just  appreciation  of 
our  civic  obligations  is  the  vital  creed  of  your  organiza- 


OF   WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  53 

tion  and  the  deep  concern  of  us  all.  Nothing  makes 
more  for  the  government  than  intelligent  and  virtuous 
citizenship.  It  is  the  foundation  of  governmental  suc 
cess,  and  is  essential  to  the  highest  destiny  of  the  re 
public.  It  should  start  in  the  home  and  be  taught  in 
the  schools.  It  should  have  the  inspiration  of  example 
in  public  and  private  stations.  The  public  officer  should 
illustrate  it  in  his  life  and  show  it  in  the  administration 
of  his  public  duties. 

One  great  element  in  the  strength  of  any  government 
is  the  patriotism  of  its  people,  their  love  for  its  institu 
tions,  their  pride  for  its  name  and  achievements.  This 
element  finds  a  field  for  exceptional  development  in  the 
United  States.  We  have  everything  to  inspire  good 
citizenship,  because  we  have  equal  and  responsible  citi 
zenship.  Responsible  citizenship  comes  from  direct 
participation  in  the  conduct  of  the  government,  and 
imposes  equal  responsibility  upon  every  citizen.  If  we 
could  quicken  and  increase  appreciation  of  this  responsi 
bility,  and  every  citizen  were  made  to  feel  its  weight  and 
importance,  it  would  go  far  toward  improving  our 
political  and  national  life. 

The  government  and  people  are  inseparable  under  our 
system.  We  could  not  separate  the  government  from 
the  people  if  we  would,  and  we  would  not  if  we  could. 
This  unity  is  the  strength  of  our  political  structure. 
Our  public  policies  and  our  public  laws  are  properly 
determined  by  the  people.  The  people,  therefore,  have 
every  incentive  to  noble  purpose  and  right  action  in 
government.  They  are  the  beneficiaries  of  the  govern 
ment,  and  have  every  reason  to  love  our  institutions  and 
regard  our  laws,  because  they  make  and  support  them. 
There  is  no  greater  enemy  to  free  government  than 


54  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

careless  and  indifferent  citizenship;  there  is  no  better 
friend  than  the  vigilant,  enlightened,  and  patriotic 
citizen. 

Not  only  are  we  interested  in  these  fundamental  ele 
ments  which  constitute  the  national  strength,  but  we 
have  a  deep  interest  in  the  material  development  of  the 
country.  No  subject  can  better  engage  our  attention 
than  the  promotion  of  trade  and  commerce  at  home 
and  abroad.  Domestic  conditions  are  sure  to  be  im 
proved  by  larger  exchanges  with  the  nations  of  the 
world.  We  are  already  reaching  out  with  good  results. 
Our  surplus  products  of  agriculture  and  manufacture 
are  finding  a  foreign  market,  and  in  the  latter  case  to  a 
degree  which  would  not  have  been  believed  possible  a 
quarter  of  a  century  ago.  We  have  made  wonderful 
progress  in  this  direction,  and  have  only  just  begun. 
Our  manufactured  products  go  to  every  nation  of  the 
world,  and  I  hope  the  time  may  be  not  far  distant  when 
our  ships,  under  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  will  be  on  every 
sea  where  commerce  is  carried  and  the  wants  of  man 
kind  are  to  be  supplied. 

Commerce  is  a  teacher  and  a  pacificator.  It  gives 
mankind  knowledge  one  of  another.  Reciprocity  of 
trade  promotes  reciprocity  of  friendship.  Good  trade 
insures  good  will.  The  heart  as  well  as  the  mind  con 
tributes  directly  to  the  progress  of  mankind,  and  wher 
ever  we  secure  just  and  fair  commercial  relations  with 
other  nations  we  are  sure  to  have  with  them  friendly 
political  relations. 

Abating  none  of  our  interest  in  the  home  market,  let 
us  move  out  to  new  fields  steadily  and  increase  the  sale 
for  our  products  in  foreign  markets.  It  should  be  our 
settled  purpose  to  open  trade  wherever  we  can,  making 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  55 

our  ships  and  our  commerce  messengers  of  peace  and 
amity. 

The  consular  service  of  the  government  should  be 
closely  scrutinized  and  carefully  officered,  and  we  should 
have  at  every  commercial  port  of  the  world  a  sensible 
and  practical  American  who,  while  discharging  all  his 
other  duties  with  honor  to  the  government,  will  not  omit 
in  every  proper  way  to  promote  American  exchanges 
and.'  encourage  reciprocal  trade. 

Finally,  if  we  are  entering  upon  an  era  of  prosperity 
such  as  many  believe  and  all  fervently  hope  for,  re 
membering  our  recent  panic  and  financial  experiences, 
we  should  strengthen  the  weak  places  in  our  financial 
system,  and  remove  it  forever  from  ambiguity  and  doubt. 


XXVIII. 

SPEECH  TO  THE  COMMERCIAL  TRAVELERS'  ASSOCIATION 
AND  EMPLOYEES  OF  DUEBER  HEIGHTS,  CANTON,  OHIO, 
NOVEMBER  1,  1897. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Commercial  Travelers'  Association,  and 
Employees  of  Dueber  Heights,  and  my  Fellow- Citizens : 
It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  be  back  at  my  old  home 
again,  and  to  receive  at  the  hands  of  my  fellow-citizens 
the  warm  and  cordial  and,  I  am  sure,  heartfelt  welcome 
with  which  they  greet  me  to-night.  I  am  glad  to 
be  assured  by  the  spokesmen  who  have  addressed  me 
that  these  for  whom  they  speak  give  approval  to  the 
national  administration  with  which  I  have  been  asso 
ciated  by  the  partiality  of  your  suffrages  given  last  year. 
[Applause.] 


56  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

I  assure  you,  my  fellow-citizens,  that  when  I  entered 
upon  my  public  duties  I  had  but  one  aim,  but  one 
purpose— the  good  of  my  country  and  the  welfare  of  my 
countrymen.  [Applause.] 

And  nothing  could  be  more  gratifying  to  me,  nothing 
could  be  more  encouraging  to  me,  nothing  could  stimu 
late  me  to  greater  effort,  than  to  be  assured  by  fellow- 
citizens,  as  I  have  been  assured  by  them  to-night,  that 
they  are  now  employed  and  have  steady  work.  [Pro 
longed  cheering.] 

I  am  deeply  interested  in  the  prosperity  of  my  home 
city,  and  the  greater  the  prosperity  the  greater  will  be 
my  satisfaction.  [Applause.] 

I  will  detain  you  in  this  inclement  weather  only  long 
enough  to  assure  you  that  from  my  heart  I  thank  you 
for  this  generous  welcome.  [Great  cheering.] 


XXIX. 

ADDRESS  AT  THE  CARNEGIE  LIBRARY,  PITTSBURG, 
WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  3,  1897. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

It  is  a  great  pleasure  for  me  now,  as  always,  to  visit 
Pittsburg,  one  of  the  great  cities  of  a  commonwealth 
closely  in  touch  with  my  native  State  of  Ohio,  and  its 
near  neighbor,  in  whose  borders  I  have  so  frequently  and 
cordially  been  received.  The  people  of  the  two  communi 
ties  know  one  another  well,  and  exemplify,  as  perfectly 
as  can  be  found  anywhere  in  the  Union,  that  spirit  of 
fraternal  regard  and  free  interchange  of  ideas  and 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  57 

products  which  forms  the  very  essence  and  glory  of 
the  American  system  of  government. 

But  to-day  I  have  not  come,  as  has  often  been  the 
case,  to  discuss  economic  questions,  but  rather  as  an 
interested  observer  to  witness  in  person  and  testify  to 
that  great  and  successful  undertaking  made  possible  by 
the  munificence  of  one  of  your  best-known  citizens  and 
the  generous  neighbors  whom  he  has  interested  in  his 
work.  They  have  conferred  upon  the  municipality  of 
Pittsburg  the  proud  privilege  of  being  noted  not  simply 
as  one  of  the  greatest  industrial  centers  of  the  country, 
but  hereafter  to  rank  as  one  of  the  great  literary,  art, 
musical,  and  educational  cities  of  the  United  States. 
But  more  than  this  and  infinitely  better :  what  has  been 
done  here,  and  all  that  still  remains  for  the  present  and 
future  generations  to  accomplish  in  perfecting  this  noble 
library  and  its  allied  branches  of  culture  and  enjoyment, 
is  not  planned  simply  for  the  select  few,  but  the  too 
often  neglected  many ;  not  for  a  favored  class,  but  for 
the  people  and  all  of  the  people.  All  who  love  know 
ledge,  who  enjoy  art,  who  believe  in  progress,  whose 
aspirations  are  upward,  are  here  welcome,  and  will  find 
themselves  at  liberty  to  follow  their  chosen  pursuits  in 
response  to  the  founder's  inscription  that  his  donation 
is  and  shall  be  "Free  to  the  People.'7  For  such  was 
this  temple  reared,  magnificent  in  its  proportions  and  of 
classic  beauty,  with  a  liberality  of  equipment  and  man 
agement  second  to  none  either  in  the  Old  World  or  the 
New;  and  it  will  confer  increasing  and  inestimable 
blessings  not  only  upon  this  city  and  upon  this  State, 
but  upon  all  the  people  of  our  country  in  all  the  years 
to  come.  It  is  a  monument  to  the  industry  for  which 
this  city  is  justly  famous,  and  the  advice  which  I  would 


58  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

leave  with  you  and  which  I  would  have  you  always 
remember  is— use  it ! 

For  this  splendid  movement  for  the  welfare  of  the 
people,  richer  and  more  varied  in  its  treasures  to  man 
kind  than  we  can  now  conceive,  all  of  its  departments 
of  activity  gathered  together  under  one  roof  and  con 
ducted  by  a  single,  united,  enthusiastic  management, 
open  to  every  student  or  citizen  thirsting  for  knowledge, 
it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  every  man,  woman,  and 
child  in  this  community  is  already  under  a  heavy  debt 
of  gratitude  which  they  can  best  discharge  and  only  fit 
tingly  repay  by  availing  themselves  fully  and  freely  of 
its  blessings  and  benefits.  The  city  itself,  following  the 
inspiring  example  of  other  great  municipalities,  has 
done  wisely  even  from  the  standpoint  of  self-interest 
in  adopting  the  great  library  as  a  child  of  its  corporate 
existence,  so  that  every  citizen,  from  the  humblest  to  the 
most  exalted,  has  a  stake  in  its  permanence  and  prosper 
ity,  forming  a  part  of  his  life  and  contributing  to  its 
welfare. 

The  free  man  cannot  be  long  an  ignorant  man.  The 
aspiration  for  knowledge  is  the  corner-stone  for  learning 
and  liberty.  With  true  culture— not  feigned  or  proud 
—comes  goodness  of  heart,  refinement  of  manners,  gen 
erosity  of  impulse,  the  Christian  desire  of  helping  others, 
and  the  Christian  character  of  charity  to  all.  Library 
study,  musical  instruction,  the  cultivation  of  art,  and 
the  serious  contemplation  of  the  wonders  of  nature  in 
rare  museum  collections,  are  a  source  of  delight  and 
instruction  to  patrons  and  visitors,  and  they  help  to 
make  a  better  citizenship,  and  in  so  doing  constitute  an 
impregnable  bulwark  for  law  and  order. 

One  of  the  most  gratifying  assurances  which  have  come 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  59 

to  me  during  my  brief  visit  to  this  library  to-day  is  that 
the  real  intentions  of  its  promoters  are  already  being 
realized  beyond  their  highest  expectations.  Scarcely 
four  years  have  passed  since  the  work  was  begun,  yet 
the  people  of  Pittsburg  have  again  and  again  demon 
strated  that  they  are  worthy  of  the  princely  generosity, 
and  are  justifying  the  faith  and  purpose  of  those  who 
bestowed  it  by  making  this  a  real  help  to  higher  and 
broader  attainments. 

In  no  other  nation  could  such  a  realization  have  been 
possible  in  so  short  a  time.  Europe  arid  the  Orient  have, 
to  be  sure,  their  great  libraries,  rich  galleries,  wonderful 
museums,  historical  collections,  and  rare  and  ancient 
buildings  of  imposing  grandeur,  exquisite  in  architec 
tural  beauty  and  rejoicing  in  an  ample  financial  endow 
ment.  Many  of  these  contain  priceless  treasures  of  the 
ages,  whose  loss  the  world  could  never  replace.  They 
serve  a  noble  purpose,  they  have  enriched  art,  and  will 
continue  an  inspiration  to  students  of  all  lands.  But 
none  of  them  had  such  an  advanced  beginning  as  this. 
It  is  ever  to  the  West,  and  more  especially  to  our  own 
wonderful  country,  that  we  must  turn  with  amazement 
and  increasing  pride  to  witness  the  most  rapid  and 
triumphant  march  of  progress,  not  only  in  the  develop 
ment  of  material  resources,  but  in  the  comparative 
advancement  and  appreciation  of  the  fine  arts. 

Be  not  content  with  what  you  have  or  are.  Continue 
the  enterprise  with  the  enthusiasm  you  have  begun  it. 
Be  true  to  the  best  ideas  of  this  great  undertaking.  Do 
not  forget  its  main  purpose.  Make  it  useful  to  the 
community,  yourselves,  and  your  children.  Let  it  be  an 
object  of  special  honor  and  concern  to  your  city.  You 
have  my  congratulations  upon  the  result  of  your 


60  SPEECHES  AND  ADDEESSES 

labors  and  my  best  wishes  for  the  continuance  of  their 
success. 

I  am  glad  to  be  here  to-day.  I  have  enjoyed  meeting 
with  you.  It  is  an  honor  to  participate  in  any  enter 
prise  which  exalts  our  countrymen,  which  inspires  them 
to  higher  endeavor  and  affords  them  greater  oppor 
tunity  for  culture  and  advancement.  Every  move 
ment  for  the  edification  and  uplifting  of  the  people  is 
a  factor  in  human  destiny  and  a  mighty  force  in  our 
civilization.  May  the  favor  of  God  accompany  this  and 
all  such  undertakings ! 


XXX. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  BANQUET  OF  THE  NATIONAL  ASSOCIA 
TION  OF  MANUFACTURERS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
AT  THE  WALDORF-ASTORIA,  NEW  YORK,  JANUARY  27, 
1898. 

Mr.  Toastmaster,  Members  of  the  National  Association  of 
Manufacturers,  and  Guests : 

For  the  cordial  character  of  this  greeting  I  return  my 
grateful  thanks.  The  genuineness  of  your  welcome  is 
full  compensation  for  having  left  Washington  at  an 
unusually  busy  season  in  order  to  participate  in  this 
interesting  meeting. 

I  scarcely  need  remind  you  that  we  do  not  meet  as 
strangers.  Neither  your  business  organization  nor  your 
social  reunions  are  altogether  unfamiliar  to  me.  I  have 
been  with  you  before,  not  a  guest,  as  now,  but  rather 
in  the  capacity  of  host.  I  recall  that,  as  governor  of  the 
State  of  Ohio,  it  was  my  pleasure  to  welcome  you  to  the 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  61 

city  of  Cincinnati  on  January  22,  1895,  at  the  initial 
convention  of  the  Manufacturers'  Association.  I  well 
remember  the  occasion.  It  was  a  cold  day.  You  had 
lost  everything  but  your  pluck,  or  thought  you  had. 
Courage  was  the  only  friend  your  grief  could  call  its 
own.  I  note  with  satisfaction  your  improved  appearance 
now.  You  are  more  cheerful  in  countenance,  more 
buoyant  in  spirit,  more  hopeful  in  manner,  and  more 
confident  in  purpose.  Then,  too,  there  are  more  of  you 
here  than  there  were  at  your  first  meeting.  Distances 
are  of  course  the  same,  but  traveling  has  been  resumed. 
Your  speeches  and  resolutions  at  that  first  convention 
were  directed  mainly  to  the  question  of  how  to  regain 
what  you  had  lost  in  the  previous  years,  or,  if  that 
was  found  impossible,  then  how  to  stop  further  loss. 
But  your  object  now,  as  I  gather  it,  is  to  go  out  and 
possess  what  you  have  never  had  before.  You  want  to 
extend,  not  your  notes,  but  your  business.  I  sym 
pathized  with  your  purposes  then  j  I  am  in  full  accord 
with  your  intentions  now. 

I  ventured  to  say  at  the  gathering  referred  to,  as  re 
ported  in  your  published  proceedings,  speaking  both  for 
your  encouragement  and  from  a  profound  conviction : 

This  great  country  cannot  be  permanently  kept  in  a  state  of 
relapse.  I  believe  wo  will  reoccupy  the  field  temporarily  lost  to 
us,  and  go  out  to  the  peaceful  conquest  of  new  and  greater  fields 
of  trade  and  commerce.  The  recovery  will  come  slowly,  perhaps, 
but  it  will  come,  and  when  it  does  we  will  be  steadier  and  will 
better  know  how  to  avoid  exposure  hereafter. 

I  have  abated  none  of  the  faith  I  then  expressed,  and 
you  seem  to  have  regained  yours. 

National  policies  can  encourage  industry  and  com 
merce,  but  it  remains  for  the  people  to  project  and  carry 


62  SPEECHES  AND  ADDKESSES 

them  on.  If  these  policies  stimulate  industrial  develop 
ment  and  energy,  the  people  can  be  safely  trusted  to  do 
the  rest.  The  government,  however,  is  restricted  in  its 
power  to  promote  industry.  It  can  aid  commerce,  but 
not  create  it.  It  can  widen  and  deepen  its  rivers,  im 
prove  its  harbors,  and  develop  its  great  national  water 
ways  j  but  the  ships  to  sail  and  the  traffic  to  carry,  the 
people  must  supply.  The  government  can  raise  reve 
nues  by  taxation  in  such  a  way  as  will  discriminate  in 
favor  of  domestic  enterprises,  but  it  cannot  establish 
them.  It  can  make  commercial  treaties  opening  to  our 
manufacturers  and  agriculturalists  the  ports  of  other  na 
tions.  It  can  enter  into  reciprocal  arrangements  to 
exchange  our  products  with  those  of  other  countries. 
It  can  aid  our  merchant  marine  by  encouraging  our 
people  to  build  ships  of  commerce.  It  can  assist  in 
every  lawful  manner  private  enterprise  to  unite  the  two 
oceans  with  a  great  canal.  It  can  do  all  these  things, 
and  ought  to  do  them  5  but  with  all  this  accomplished 
the  result  will  still  be  ineffectual  unless  supplemented 
by  the  energy,  enterprise,  and  industry  of  the  people. 
It  is  they  who  must  build  and  operate  the  factories, 
furnish  the  ships  and  cargoes  for  the  canal  and  the  rivers 
and  the  seas.  It  is  they  who  must  find  the  consumers 
and  obtain  trade  by  going  forth  to  win  it. 

Much  profitable  trade  is  still  unen joyed  by  our  people 
because  of  their  present  insufficient  facilities  for  reach 
ing  desirable  markets.  Much  of  it  is  lost  because  of  a 
lack  of  information  and  ignorance  of  the  conditions  and 
needs  of  other  nations.  We  must  know  just  what  other 
people  want  before  we  can  supply  their  wants.  We 
must  understand  exactly  how  to  reach  them  with  least 
expense  if  we  would  enter  into  the  most  advantageous 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  63 

business  relations  with  them.  The  ship  requires  the 
shipper ;  but  the  shipper  must  have  assured  promise  that 
his  goods  will  have  a  sale  when  they  reach  their  destina 
tion.  It  is  a  good  rule,  if  buyers  will  not  come  to  us, 
for  us  to  go  to  them.  It  is  our  duty  to  make  American 
enterprise  and  industrial  ambition,  as  well  as  achieve 
ment,  terms  of  respect  and  praise,  not  only  at  home,  but 
among  the  family  of  nations  the  world  over. 

There  is  another  duty  resting  upon  the  national  gov 
ernment — "  to  coin  money  and  regulate  the  value 
thereof."  This  duty  requires  that  our  government  shall 
regulate  the  value  of  its  money  by  the  highest  stan 
dards  of  commercial  honesty  and  national  honor.  The 
money  of  the  United  States  is  and  must  forever  be  un 
questioned  and  unassailable.  If  doubts  remain,  they 
must  be  removed.  If  weak  places  are  discovered,  they 
must  be  strengthened.  Nothing  should  ever  tempt  us— 
nothing  ever  will  tempt  us— to  scale  down  the  sacred 
debt  of  the  nation  through  a  legal  technicality.  What 
ever  may  be  the  language  of  the  contract,  the  United 
States  will  discharge  all  of  its  obligations  in  the  cur 
rency  recognized  as  the  best  throughout  the  civilized 
world  at  the  times  of  payment. 

Nor  will  we  ever  consent  that  the  wages  of  labor  or 
its  frugal  savings  shall  be  scaled  down  by  permitting 
payment  in  dollars  of  less  value  than  the  dollars  accepted 
as  the  best  in  every  enlightened  nation  of  the  earth. 

Under  existing  conditions  our  citizens  cannot  be  ex 
cused  if  they  do  not  redouble  their  efforts  to  secure 
such  financial  legislation  as  will  place  their  honorable 
intentions  beyond  dispute.  All  those  who  represent,  as 
you  do,  the  great  conservative  but  progressive  business 
interests  of  the  country,  owe  it  not  only  to  themselves, 


64  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

but  to  the  people,  to  insist  upon  the  settlement  of  this 
great  question  now,  or  else  to  face  the  alternative  that 
it  must  be  again  submitted  for  arbitration  at  the  polls. 
This  is  our  plain  duty  to  more  than  seven  million  voters 
who,  fifteen  months  ago,  won  a  great  political  battle  on 
the  issue,  among  others,  that  the  United  States  govern 
ment  would  not  permit  a  doubt  to  exist  anywhere  con 
cerning  the  stability  and  integrity  of  its  currency,  or  the 
inviolability  of  its  obligations  of  every  kind.  That  is  my 
interpretation  of  that  victory.  Whatever  effort,  there 
fore,  is  required  to  make  the  settlement  of  this  vital 
question  clear  and  conclusive  for  all  time,  we  are  bound 
in  good  conscience  to  undertake  and,  if  possible,  realize. 
That  is  our  commission— our  present  charter  from  the 
people. 

It  will  not  suffice  for  citizens  nowadays  to  say  simply 
that  they  are  in  favor  of  sound  money.  That  is  not 
enough.  The  people's  purpose  must  be  given  the  vital 
ity  of  public  law.  Better  an  honest  effort  with  failure 
than  the  avoiding  of  so  plain  and  commanding  a  duty. 

The  difficulties  in  the  path  of  a  satisfactory  reform 
are,  it  must  be  admitted,  neither  few  in  number  nor 
slight  in  degree  j  but  progress  cannot  fail  to  be  made 
with  a  fair  and  thorough  trial.  An  honest  attempt  will 
be  the  best  proof  of  sincerity  of  purpose.  Let  us  have 
full  and  free  discussion.  It  cannot  hurt,  it  will  only  help 
the  cause.  We  are  the  last  to  avoid  or  evade  it.  Intelli 
gent  discussion  will  strengthen  the  indifferent  and  en 
courage  the  friends  of  a  stable  system  of  finance. 

Half-heartedness  never  won  a  battle.  Nations  and 
parties  without  abiding  principles  and  stern  resolution 
to  enforce  them,  even  if  it  costs  a  continuous  struggle 
to  do  so,  and  temporary  sacrifice,  are  never  in  the  high- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  65 

est  degree  successful  leaders  in  the  progress  of  mankind. 
For  us  to  attempt  nothing  in  the  face  of  the  prevalent 
fallacies  and  the  constant  effort  to  spread  them  is  to  lose 
valuable  ground  already  won,  and  practically  to  weaken 
the  forces  of  sound  money  for  their  battles  of  the  future. 
The  financial  plank  of  the  St.  Louis  platform  is  still 
as  commanding  upon  Republicans  and  those  who  served 
with  them  in  the  last  campaign  as  on  the  day  it  was 
adopted  and  promulgated.  Happily  the  tariff  part  of 
that  platform  has  already  been  ingrafted  into  public 
statute.  But  that  other  plank,  not  already  builded  into 
our  legislation,  is  of  binding  force  upon  all  of  us.  What 
is  it  ?  It  is  sometimes  well  to  consult  our  chart.  What 
was  the  proclamation  of  1896  ? 

The  Republican  party  is  unreservedly  for  sound  money.  It 
caused  the  enactment  of  a  law  providing  for  the  resumption  of 
specie  payments  in  1879 ;  since  then  every  dollar  has  been  as  good 
as  gold. 

We  are  unalterably  opposed  to  every  measure  calculated  to 
debase  our  currency  or  impair  the  credit  of  our  country.  We  are 
therefore  opposed  to  the  free  coinage  of  silver  except  by  interna 
tional  agreement  with  the  leading  commercial  nations  of  the 
earth,  which  agreement  we  pledge  ourselves  to  promote  ;  and  until 
such  agreement  can  be  obtained  the  existing  gold  standard  must  be 
maintained.  All  our  silver  and  paper  currency  must  be  maintained 
at  parity  with  gold ;  and  we  favor  all  measures  designed  to  main 
tain  inviolable  the  obligations  of  the  United  States,  and  all  our 
money,  whether  coin  or  paper,  at  the  present  standard,  the  stan 
dard  of  the  most  enlightened  nations  of  the  earth. 

This  is  in  reality  a  command  from  the  people  who 
gave  the  administration  to  the  party  now  in  power,  and 
who  are  still  anxiously  waiting  for  the  execution  of 
their  free  and  omnipotent  will  by  those  of  us  who  hold 
commissions  from  that  supreme  tribunal. 


66  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

I  have  to-night  spoken  in  a  somewhat  serious  strain 
because  I  believe  it  is  due  both  to  the  membership  of 
this  association  and'  to  the  conditions  under  which  this 
assemblage  has  met.  The  conferences  and  systematic 
efforts  of  such  a  body  of  men  as  this  are  capable  of 
infinite  good  to  the  respective  communities  in  which  the 
members  live,  and  to  the  nation  at  large. 

The  country  is  now  emerging  from  trying  conditions. 
It  is  only  just  beginning  to  recover  from  the  depression 
in  certain  lines  of  business,  long  continued  and  alto 
gether  unparalleled.  Progress,  therefore,  will  naturally 
be  slow,  but  let  us  not  be  impatient.  Rather  let  us  exer 
cise  a  just  patience,  and  one  which  in  time  will  surely 
bring  its  own  high  reward. 

I  have  no  fear  for  the  future  of  our  beloved  country. 
While  I  discern  in  its  present  condition  the  necessity  that 
always  exists  for  the  faithful  devotion  of  its  citizens, 
the  history  of  its  past  is  assurance  to  me  that  its  course 
will  be  as  it  always  has  been  through  every  struggle  and 
emergency,  still  onward  and  upward.  It  has  never  suf 
fered  from  any  trial  or  been  unequal  to  any  test. 
Founded  upon  right  principles,  and  ever  faithful  to 
them,  we  have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  vicissitudes 
which  may  lie  across  our  pathway.  The  nation,  founded 
by  the  fathers  upon  principles  of  virtue,  morality,  edu 
cation,  freedom,  and  human  rights,  molded  by  the  great 
discussions  which  established  its  sovereignty,  tried  in 
the  crucible  of  civil  war,  its  integrity  confirmed  by  the 
results  of  reconstruction,  with  a  Union  stronger  and 
mightier  and  better  than  ever  before,  stands  to-day,  not 
upon  shifting  sands,  but  upon  immovable  foundations. 
Let  us  resolve,  by  our  laws  and  by  our  administration 
of  them,  to  maintain  the  rights  of  the  citizen ;  to  cement 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  67 

the  Union  by  still  closer  bonds ;  to  exalt  the  standards 
of  American  civilization,  encourage  the  promotion  of 
thrift,  industry,  and  economy,  and  the  homely  virtues 
which  have  ennobled  our  people  ;  uphold  the  stability  of 
our  currency  and  credit  and  the  unstained  honor  of  the 
government;  and  illustrate  the  purity  of  our  national 
and  municipal  government:  and  then,  though  the  rain 
descends  and  the  floods  come  and  the  winds  blow,  the 
nation  will  stand,  for  it  is  founded  upon  a  rock. 


XXXI. 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  OFFICERS  AND  STUDENTS  OF  THE  UNI 
VERSITY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  ACADEMY  OF  Music,  PHILA 
DELPHIA,  FEBRUARY  22,  1898. 

Mr.  Prorost,   Officers  and  Students  of  tin    Uitirertnty  of 

Pennsylvania,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 
We  celebrate  here,  as  in  every  part  of  our  country, 
the  birthday  of  a  great  patriot,  who  assured  the  begin 
ning  of  a  great  nation.  This  day  belongs  to  patriotism 
and  the  people.  But  in  a  certain  sense  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania  has  special  reasons  for  honoring  the  22d 
of  February.  For  over  half  a  century,  with  ever-in 
creasing  popularity  and  public  recognition,  you  have 
observed  the  occasion  either  as  a  holiday  or  with  pa 
triotic  exercises,  participated  in  by  faculty  and  students. 
No  other  American  institution  of  learning  has  a  prouder 
title  to  the  veneration  of  Washington's  memory  than 
this,  whose  foundation  was  laid  in  colonial  days,  nearly 
fifty  years  before  Pennsylvania  became  a  State ;  whose 
progress  was  largely  due  to  the  activity  of  Franklin  and 


68  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

other  zealous  and  far-seeing  patriots ;  and  whose  trustees 
were  on  terms  of  sufficient  intimacy  with  Washington 
to  congratulate  him  upon  his  election  to  the  Presidency, 
and  to  receive  from  him  a  notable  reply,  which  has 
passed  into  the  history  of  the  times. 

Washington,  too,  belonged  to  the  brotherhood  of  the 
alumni  of  this  institution,  having  accepted  the  degree  of 
doctor  of  laws  conferred  upon  him  in  1783 —an  honor 
doubtless  the  more  appreciated  when  he  recalled  the 
events  which  gave  him  close  and  peculiar  attachment  to 
the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

No  wonder  that  your  great  university  has  made  the  22d 
of  February  its  most  impressive  ceremonial,  and  devoted 
its  annual  exercises  to  special  tributes  to  the  memory  of 
the  first  President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  patriotic 
themes  which  cluster  thickly  about  his  life  and  work. 
I  rejoice  with  you  in  the  day.  I  rejoice,  also,  that 
throughout  this  broad  land  the  birthday  of  the  patriot 
leader  is  faithfully  observed,  and  celebrated  with  an 
enthusiasm  and  earnestness  which  testify  to  the  virtue 
and  gratitude  of  the  American  people. 

It  would  not  be  possible,  in  the  comparatively  short 
time  to  which  these  exercises  must  to-day  be  limited,  to 
follow  Washington  in  his  long  and  distinguished  ser 
vices  at  the  head  of  the  army  and  as  Chief  Executive  of 
the  government.  My  purpose  is  simply  to  call  to  your 
attention  a  few  points  in  Washington's  career  which 
have  singularly  impressed  me,  and  to  refer  to  some 
passages  in  his  writings  that  seem  peculiarly  appropri 
ate  for  the  guidance  of  the  people,  who,  under  our  form 
of  government,  have  in  their  keeping  the  well-being  of 
the  country. 

In  its  entirety  Washington's  public  life  is  as  familiar 


OF  WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  69 

to  the  American  student  as  the  history  of  the  United 
States.  They  are  associated  in  holy  and  indissoluble 
bonds.  The  one  is  incomplete  without  the  other;  the 
one  cannot  be  written  without  the  other.  Washington's 
character  and  achievements  have  been  a  part  of  the 
school-books  of  the  nation  for  more  than  a  century,  and 
have  moved  American  youth  and  American  manhood  to 
aspire  to  the  highest  ideals  of  responsible  citizenship. 
With  enduring  fame  as  a  great  soldier,  the  world  has  rec 
ognized  his  equal  accomplishments  in  the  paths  of  states 
manship.  As  a  soldier  he  was  peerless  in  the  times  in 
which  he  lived,  and  as  a  statesman  his  rank  is  fixed  with 
the  most  illustrious  in  any  country  or  in  any  age. 

But  with  all  our  pride  in  Washington  we  not  infre 
quently  fail  to  give  him  credit  for  his  marvelous  genius 
as  a  constructive  statesman.  We  are  constantly  in 
danger  of  losing  sight  of  the  sweep  and  clearness  of  his 
comprehension,  which  accurately  grasped  the  problems 
of  the  remote  future  and  knew  how  to  formulate  the 
best  means  for  their  solution.  It  was  committed  to 
Washington  to  launch  our  ship  of  state.  He  had  neither 
precedent  nor  predecessor  to  help  him.  He  welded  the 
scattered  and  at  times  antagonistic  colonies  into  an  in 
destructible  Union,  and  inculcated  the  lessons  of  mutual 
forbearance  and  fraternity  which  have  cemented  the 
States  into  still  closer  bonds  of  interest  and  sympathy. 

From  the  hour  when  Washington  declared  in  his 
Virginia  home  that  he  would  raise  a  thousand  men  and 
equip  them  at  his  own  expense  to  march  to  the  defense 
of  Boston,  he  became  the  masterful  spirit  of  the  Con 
tinental  Army,  and  the  mightiest  single  factor  in  the 
struggle  for  liberty  and  independence.  Apparently 
without  personal  ambition,  spurning  royal  honors 


70  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

when  they  were  suggested  to  him,  he  fulfilled  a  still 
more  glorious  destiny  as  the  guiding  force  of  a  civil 
ization  freer  and  mightier  than  the  history  of  man  had 
ever  known. 

Though  Washington's  exalted  character  and  the  most 
striking  acts  of  his  brilliant  record  are  too  familiar  to 
be  recounted  here,  where  so  many  times  they  have  re 
ceived  eloquent  and  deserved  eulogy,  yet  often  as  the 
story  is  retold  it  engages  our  love  and  admiration  and 
interest.  We  love  to  recall  his  noble  unselfishness,  his 
heroic  purposes,  the  power  of  his  magnificent  personality, 
his  glorious  achievements  for  mankind,  and  his  stalwart 
and  unflinching  devotion  to  independence,  liberty,  and 
union.  These  cannot  be  too  often  told  or  too  familiarly 
known. 

A  slaveholder  himself,  he  yet  hated  slavery,  and  pro 
vided  in  his  will  for  the  emancipation  of  his  slaves.  Not 
a  college  graduate,  he  was  always  enthusiastically  the 
friend  of  liberal  education.  He  used  every  suitable 
occasion  to  impress  upon  Congress  and  the  country  the 
importance  of  a  high  standard  of  general  education, 
and  characterized  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  as  the 
most  essential  element  of  strength  in  the  system  of  free 
government.  That  learning  should  go  with  liberty,  and 
that  liberty  is  never  endangered  so  long  as  it  is  in  the 
keeping  of  intelligent  citizens,  was  the  ideal  civic  code 
which  his  frequent  utterances  never  failed  to  enforce. 

And  how  reverent  always  was  this  great  man,  how 
prompt  and  generous  his  recognition  of  the  guiding 
hand  of  divine  Providence  in  establishing  and  control 
ling  the  destinies  of  the  colonies  and  the  republic ! 
Again  and  again— in  his  talks,  in  his  letters,  in  his 
state  papers  and  formal  addresses— he  reveals  this  side 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  71 

of  his  character,  the  force  of  which  we  still  feel,  and,  I 
trust,  we  always  will. 

At  the  very  height  of  his  success  and  reward,  as  he 
emerged  from  the  Revolution,  receiving  by  unanimous 
acclaim  the  plaudits  of  the  people,  and  commanding  the 
respect  and  admiration  of  the  civilized  world,  he  did  not 
forget  that  his  first  official  act  as  President  should  be 
fervent  supplication  to  the  Almighty  Being  who  rules 
the  universe.  It  is  he  who  presides  in  the  councils  of 
nations,  and  whose  providential  aid  can  supply  every 
human  defect.  It  is  his  benediction  which  we  most 
want,  and  which  can  and  will  consecrate  the  liberties 
and  happiness  of  the  people  of  the  United  States.  With 
his  help  the  instruments  of  the  citizens  employed  to 
carry  out  their  purposes  will  succeed  in  the  functions 
allotted  to  public  life. 

But  Washington  on  this  occasion  went  further  and 
spoke  for  the  people,  assuming  that  he  but  voiced  the 
sentiment  of  the  young  nation  in  thus  making  faith  in 
Almighty  God  and  reliance  upon  his  favor  and  care 
one  of  the  strong  foundations  of  the  government  then 
inaugurated.  And  proceeding,  Washington  states  the 
reasons  for  his  belief  in  language  so  exalted  that  it 
should  be  graven  deep  upon  the  mind  of  every  patriot : 

No  people  can  be  bound  to  acknowledge  and  adore  the  invisible 
hand  which  conducts  the  affairs  of  men  more  than  the  people  of 
the  United  States. 

Every  step  by  which  they  have  advanced  to  the  character  of  an 
independent  nation  seems  to  have  been  distinguished  by  some 
token  of  providential  agency ;  and  in  the  important  revolution 
just  accomplished  in  the  system  of  their  united  government,  the 
tranquil  deliberations  and  voluntary  consent  of  so  many  distinct 
communities,  from  which  the  events  resulted,  cannot  be  compared 
with  the  means  by  which  most  governments  have  been  established, 


72  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

without  some  return  of  pious  gratitude,  along  with  an  humble  an 
ticipation  of  the  future  blessings  which  the  past  seems  to  presage. 
These  reflections,  arising  out  of  the  present  crisis,  have  forced 
themselves  too  strongly  on  my  mind  to  be  suppressed.  You  will 
join  with  me,  I  trust,  in  thinking  that  there  are  none  under  the  in 
fluence  of  which  the  proceedings  of  a  new  and  free  government 
can  more  auspiciously  commence. 

The  Senate  of  the  United  States  made  fitting  response 
of  its  appreciation  of  this  portion  of  the  President's 
inaugural  address  when  its  members  declared  that  "  a 
review  of  the  many  signal  instances  of  divine  interven 
tion  in  favor  of  this  country  claims  our  most  pious  grati 
tude,"  and  that  they  were  "  unavoidably  led  to  acknow 
ledge  and  adore  the  great  Arbiter  of  the  universe,  by 
whom  empires  rise  and  fall."  Congress  added  its  sanction 
by  providing  that,  "  after  the  oath  shall  have  been  ad 
ministered  to  the  President,  he,  attended  by  the  Vice- 
President  and  the  members  of  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives,  proceed  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  to  hear 
divine  service,  to  be  performed  by  the  chaplain  of  Con 
gress  already  appointed." 

Not  alone  upon  days  of  thanksgiving  or  in  times  of 
trial  should  we  as  a  people  remember  and  follow  the 
example  thus  set  by  the  fathers,  but  never  in  our  future 
as  a  nation  should  we  forget  the  great  moral  and  reli 
gious  principles  which  they  enunciated  and  defended  as 
their  most  precious  heritage.  In  an  age  of  great  activ 
ity,  of  industrial  and  commercial  strife,  and  of  perplex 
ing  problems,  we  should  never  abandon  the  simple  faith 
in  Almighty  God  as  recognized  in  the  name  of  the  Amer 
ican  people  by  Washington  and  the  First  Congress. 

But  if  a  timely  lesson  is  to  be  drawn  from  the  opinions 
of  Washington  on  his  assuming  the  office  of  President, 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  73 

so,  also,  is  much  practical  benefit  to  be  derived  from  the 
present  application  of  portions  of  his  Farewell  Address,  a 
document  in  which  Washington  laid  down  principles 
which  appeared  to  him  "all-important  to  the  perma 
nence  of  your  felicity  as  a  people." 

In  that  address  Washington  contends  in  part  (1)  for 
the  promotion  of  institutions  of  learning ;  (2)  for  cher 
ishing  the  public  credit ;  (3)  for  the  observance  of  good 
faith  and  justice  toward  all  nations. 

One  hundred  years  ago  free  schools  were  little  known 
in  the  United  States.  There  were  excellent  schools  for 
the  well-to-do  and  charitable  institutions  for  the  instruc 
tion  of  boys  and  girls  without  means;  but  the  free 
public  school,  open  alike  to  the  children  of  the  rich  and 
poor  and  supported  by  the  State,  awaited  creation  and 
development.  The  seed  planted  soon  bore  fruit.  Free 
schools  were  the  necessary  supplement  of  free  men. 
The  wise  and  liberal  provisions  for  public  instruction 
by  the  fathers,  second  only  in  effect  to  their  struggle 
for  the  independence  and  creation  of  the  Union,  were 
destined  at  no  distant  date  to  produce  the  most  wonder 
ful  results. 

As  the  country  has  grown,  education  fostered  by  the 
State  has  kept  pace  with  it.  Rich  as  are  the  collegiate 
endowments  of  the  Old  World,  none  of  them  excel  in 
munificence  the  gifts  made  to  educational  institutions  by 
the  people  of  the  United  States  and  by  their  govern 
ments,  in  conformity  with  "the  influence  which  sound 
learning  has  on  religion  and  manners,  on  government, 
liberty,  and  laws."  Adams  and  Madison,  Jefferson  and 
Hamilton,  Sherman  and  Trumbull,  Hancock,  Jay,  Mar 
shall,  the  Clintons,  and  many  others  of  our  early  states 
men  were  scarcely  less  earnest  and  eloquent  than 


74  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Washington  himself  in  pleading  the  cause  of  sound  and 
liberal  education  for  the  people. 

Nor  does  this  seem  surprising  when  we  reflect  that 
the  truest  aim  and  worthiest  ambition  of  education  is 
not  finished  scholarship  for  the  favored  few,  but  the 
elevation  of  a  high  standard  of  citizenship  among  the 
many.  I  have  had  peculiar  satisfaction  in  the  fact  that 
Washington,  in  those  early  days,  when  engrossed  with 
mighty  governmental  problems,  did  not  forget  his  con 
tributions  for  the  education  of  the  poor,  and  left  in  his 
will  a  bequest  to  be  dedicated  to  free  public  instruction. 
Nothing  better  tells  the  value  he  placed  upon  knowledge 
as  an  essential  to  the  highest  and  best  citizenship. 

How  priceless  is  a  liberal  education  !  In  itself  what 
a  rich  endowment !  It  is  not  impaired  by  age,  but  its 
value  increases  with  use.  No  one  can  employ  it  but  its 
rightful  owner.  He  alone  can  illustrate  its  worth  and 
enjoy  its  rewards.  It  cannot  be  inherited  or  purchased. 
It  must  be  acquired  by  individual  effort.  It  can  be  se 
cured  only  by  perseverance  and  self-denial.  But  it  is 
free  as  the  air  we  breathe.  Neither  race  nor  national 
ity  nor  sex  can  debar  the  earnest  seeker  from  its  pos 
session.  It  is  not  exclusive,  but  inclusive  in  the  broadest 
and  best  sense.  It  is  within  the  reach  of  all  who  really 
want  it  and  are  brave  enough  to  struggle  for  it.  The 
earnest  rich  and  the  worthy  poor  are  equal  and  friendly 
rivals  in  its  pursuit,  and  neither  is  exempted  from  any 
of  the  sacrifices  necessary  for  its  acquisition.  The 
key  to  its  title  is  not  the  bright  allurements  of  rank 
and  station,  but  the  simple  watchword  of  work  and 
study. 

A  liberal  education  is  the  prize  of  individual  industry. 
It  is  the  greatest  blessing  that  a  man  or  woman  can 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  75 

enjoy,  when  supported  by  virtue,  morality,  and  noble 
aims.  But  the  acquirement  of  learning  in  our  schools 
and  colleges  seems  so  easy  that  we  are  apt  to  under 
estimate  its  value  and  let  the  opportunity  to  win  it  slip 
by,  until  regretfully  we  find  that  the  chance  is  gone. 
The  rudiments  must  be  ingrafted  in  youth,  or,  with  rare 
exceptions,  they  are  forever  lost. 

Life  to  most  is  a  struggle,  and  there  is  little  time  for 
the  contemplation  of  the  theoretical  when  the  practical 
is  pressing  at  every  hand.  Stern  duty  monopolizes  our 
time.  The  command  of  others  controls  our  preferences 
and  often  defeats  our  intentions.  By  steadily  adhering 
to  a  firm  purpose  amid  the  activities  of  life,  we  may  keep 
in  touch  with  the  literature  of  the  day ;  but  to  go  back 
to  the  classics,  or  to  grapple  with  the  foundations  of  the 
sciences,  is  beyond  the  power  of  most  men  when  they 
have  entered  upon  their  chosen  business  or  profession. 

One's  mental  fighting,  often  a  hand-to-hand  conflict 
with  obstacles  and  temptations,  is  a  battle  of  his  own,  a 
campaign  whose  motive  force  is  individuality  rather  than 
circumstances  or  luck.  Work  in  the  mental  world  is  as 
real  as  that  in  the  physical  world.  Nor  has  any  pre 
scription  yet  been  found  to  take  the  place  of  application 
and  self-denial  and  personal  struggles,  which  have  given 
to  the  world  its  greatest  leaders  and  noblest  achieve 
ments. 

"  Cherish  the  public  credit ! ?'  How  much  both  of 
reflection  and  instruction  is  combined  in  this  simple 
admonition  of  the  Father  of  his  Country !  The  United 
States  emerged  from  the  bitter  and  prolonged  struggle 
of  the  Revolutionary  War  exhausted  financially,  and  with 
a  hundred  existing  perplexities  and  difficulties  which 
remained  to  be  solved  before  the  financial  credit  of  the 


76  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

new  nation  could  be  established  at  home  and  demon 
strated  abroad. 

But  Washington  knew  how  to  gather  around  him, 
and  place  in  positions  of  the  greatest  trust,  the  able 
financiers  and  economists  whose  names  the  country  still 
venerates  and  whose  great  work  it  still  enjoys.  Hamil 
ton  and  Morris  and  Gallatin  and  others  were  successful 
in  establishing  the  Treasury  and  inaugurating  the  finan 
cial  operations  of  this  government  upon  principles  which 
recognized  that  the  most  enduring  basis  of  national 
credit  was  national  honor,  and  that  whatever  other 
assets  we  might  have  or  acquire,  that  was  indispensable, 
first,  last,  and  all  the  time,  if  we  would  cherish  the 
public  credit.  We  have  been  fully  rewarded  all  along 
our  history  by  adhering  to  the  principles  of  Washington 
in  keeping  the  public  faith.  Before  half  a  century  had 
passed  we  had  paid  off  our  national  debt  and  had  a 
balance  in  the  Treasury.  Another  debt,  the  greatest  in 
our  history,  was  incurred  in  the  Civil  War  for  the  pres 
ervation  of  the  Union.  But  this  did  not  exceed  the 
resources  or  discourage  the  intentions  of  the  American 
people.  There  were  those  who  suggested  repudiation, 
but  the  people  repudiated  them  and  went  on  unchecked, 
discharging  the  obligations  of  the  government  in  the 
coin  of  honor. 

From  the  day  our  flag  was  unfurled  to  the  present 
hour,  no  stain  of  a  just  obligation  violated  has  yet  tar 
nished  the  American  name.  This  must  and  will  be  as 
true  in  the  future  as  it  has  been  in  the  past.  There  will 
be  prophets  of  evil  and  false  teachers.  Some  part  of 
the  column  may  waver  and  wander  away  from  the 
standard,  but  there  will  ever  rally  around  it  a  mighty 
majority  to  preserve  it  stainless. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  77 

At  no  point  in  his  administration  does  Washington 
appear  in  grander  proportions  than  when  he  enunciates 
his  ideas  in  regard  to  the  foreign  policy  of  the  govern 
ment  :  "  Observe  good  faith  and  justice  toward  all  na 
tions  :  cultivate  peace  and  harmony  with  all.  Religion 
and  morality  enjoin  this  conduct.  Can  it  be  that  good 
policy  does  not  equally  enjoin  it?  It  will  be  worthy  of 
a  free,  enlightened,  and,  at  no  distant  period,  a  great 
nation,  to  give  to  mankind  the  magnanimous  and  too 
novel  example  of  a  people  always  guided  by  an  exalted 
justice  and  benevolence." 

To-day,  nearly  a  century  from  Washington's  death,  we 
turn  reverentially  to  study  the  leading  principles  of  that 
comprehensive  chart  for  the  guidance  of  the  people.  It 
was  his  unflinching,  immovable  devotion  to  these  per 
ceptions  of  duty  which  more  than  anything  else  made 
him  what  he  was  and  contributed  so  directly  to  make 
us  what  we  are.  Following  the  precepts  of  Washington 
we  cannot  err.  The  wise  lessons  in  government  which 
he  left  us  it  will  be  profitable  to  heed.  He  seems  to 
have  grasped  all  possible  conditions  and  pointed  the 
way  safely  to  meet  them.  He  has  established  danger- 
signals  all  along  the  pathway  of  the  nation's  march. 
He  has  warned  us  against  false  lights.  He  has  taught 
us  the  true  philosophy  of  "  a  perfect  union,"  and  shown 
us  the  grave  dangers  from  sectionalism  and  wild  and 
unreasonable  party  spirit.  He  has  emphasized  the  neces 
sity  at  all  times  for  the  exercise  of  a  sober  and  dis 
passionate  public  judgment.  Such  judgment,  my 
fellow-citizens,  is  the  best  safeguard  in  the  calm  of  tran 
quil  events,  and  rises  superior  and  triumphant  above  the 
storms  of  woe  and  peril. 

We  have  every  incentive  to  cherish  the  memory  and 


78  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

teachings  of  Washington.  His  wisdom  and  foresight 
have  been  confirmed  and  vindicated  after  more  than  a 
century  of  experience.  His  best  eulogy  is  the  work  he 
wrought,  his  highest  tribute  is  the  great  republic  which 
he  and  his  compatriots  founded.  From  four  millions 
we  have  grown  to  more  than  seventy  millions  of  people, 
while  our  progress  in  industry,  learning,  and  the  arts 
has  been  the  wonder  of  the  world.  What  the  future 
will  be  depends  upon  ourselves,  and  that  that  future  will 
bring  still  greater  blessings  to  a  free  people  I  cannot 
doubt.  With  education  and  morality  in  our  homes, 
loyalty  to  the  underlying  principles  of  free  government 
in  our  hearts,  and  law  and  justice  fostered  and  exem 
plified  by  those  intrusted  with  public  administration, 
we  will  continue  to  enjoy  the  respect  of  mankind  and 
the  gracious  favor  of  Almighty  God.  The  priceless  op 
portunity  is  ours  to  demonstrate  anew  the  enduring 
triumph  of  American  civilization,  and  to  help  in  the 
progress  and  prosperity  of  the  land  we  love. 


XXXII. 

ADDRESS  OF  THE  POWERS  IN  REGARD  TO  EXISTING  DIF 
FERENCES  WITH  SPAIN,  EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASH 
INGTON,  D.  C.,  APRIL  6,  1898. 

The  undersigned,  representatives  of  Germany,  Aus 
tria-Hungary,  France,  Great  Britain,  Italy,  and  Russia, 
duly  authorized  in  that  behalf,  address  in  the  name  of 
their  respective  governments  a  pressing  appeal  to  the 
feelings  of  humanity  and  moderation  of  the  President 
and  of  the  American  people  in  their  existing  differences 
with  Spain.  They  earnestly  hope  that  further  negotia- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  79 

tions  will  lead  to  an  agreement  which,  while  securing 
the  maintenance  of  peace,  will  afford  all  necessary  guar 
anties  for  the  reestablishment  of  order  in  Cuba. 

The  Powers  do  not  doubt  that  the  humanitarian  and 
purely  disinterested  character  of  this  representation  will 
be  fully  recognized  and  appreciated   by  the  American 
nation. 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  April  C,  1898. 

(Signed)  JULIAN  PAUNCEFOTE, 

For  Great  Britain. 
(Signed)  HOLLEBEX, 

For  Germany. 

(Signed)  JULES  CAM  BOX, 

For  France. 
(Signed)  v.  HEXGELMULLER, 

For  Austria-Hungary 
(Signed)  GR.  DE  WOLLANT, 

For  Russia. 

(Signed)  G.  C.  VINCI,- 

For  Italy. 


REPLY  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 

The  government  of  the  United  States  recognizes  the 
good  will  which  has  prompted  the  friendly  communica 
tion  of  the  representatives  of  Germany,  Austria-Hungary, 
France,  Great  Britain,  Italy,  and  Russia,  as  set  forth  in 
the  address  of  your  Excellencies,  and  shares  the  hope 
therein  expressed  that  the  outcome  of  the  situation  in 
Cuba  may  be  the  maintenance  of  peace  between  the 
United  States  and  Spain  by  affording  the  necessary 
guaranties  for  the  reestablishment  of  order  in  the 
island,  so  terminating  the  chronic  condition  of  dis- 


80  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

turbance  there,  which  so  deeply  injures  the  interests  and 
menaces  the  tranquillity  of  the  American  nation  by 
the  character  and  consequences  of  the  struggle  thus 
kept  up  at  our  doors,  besides  shocking  its  sentiment  of 
humanity. 

The  government  of  the  United  States  appreciates  the 
humanitarian  and  disinterested  character  of  the  com 
munication  now  made  on  behalf  of  the  Powers  named, 
and  for  its  part  is  confident  that  equal  appreciation 
will  be  shown  for  its  own  earnest  and  unselfish  endea 
vors  to  fulfil  a  duty  to  humanity  by  ending  a  situation 
the  indefinite  prolongation  of  which  has  become  in 
sufferable. 


XXXIII. 

SPEECH  AT  CAMP  WIKOFF,  MONTAUK  POINT,  NEW  YORK, 
SEPTEMBER  3,  1898,  WITH  INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS 
BY  MAJOR-GENERAL  JOSEPH  WHEELER,  U.  S.  V.,  COM 
MANDING  FIFTH  ARMY-CORPS. 

REMARKS  OF  MAJOR-GENERAL  WHEELER. 

Brave  Soldiers : 

The  President  of  our  great  country  has  come  here 
to-day  to  greet  the  division  that  marched  so  gallantly  up 
San  Juan  hill  on  July  1.  He  comes  to  express  the  na 
tion's  thanks  to  these  brave  men,  and  every  voice  will 
echo  the  statement  that  there  could  be  no  greater  honor 
for  them  than  to  incur  again  the  same  dangers  and  en 
dure  the  same  hardships  which  they  gloried  in  being 
privileged  to  undergo  in  the  capture  of  Santiago. 

I  want  to  tell  you  that  when  the  President  sent  me 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  81 

here  two  weeks  ago  to  command  this  camp,  he  enjoined 
me.  in  the  most  emphatic  language,  that,  without  regard 
to  expense,  I  should  exercise  any  and  every  authority 
necessary  to  add  to  your  comfort  and  restore  you  to 
health.  Since  the  1st  of  July  this  brave  body  of  men 
by  their  courage  have  helped  to  raise  this  great  republic 
to  the  highest  position  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
I  now  have  the  honor  and  pleasure  of  introducing  to  you 
the  President  of  the  United  States. 


SPEECH   OF   THE   PRESIDENT. 

General  Wheeler,  Soldiers  of  Camp  Wikoff,  Soldiers  of  the 
Fifth  Army-Corps : 

I  am  glad  to  meet  you.  I  am  honored  to  meet  the 
brave  men  who  stand  before  me  to-day.  I  bring  you 
the  gratitude  of  the  nation,  to  whose  history  you  have 
added,  by  your  valor,  a  new  and  glorious  page.  You 
have  come  home  after  two  months  of  severe  campaign 
ing,  which  has  embraced  assault  and  siege  and  battle, 
so  brilliant  in  achievement,  so  far-reaching  in  results 
as  to  command  the  unstinted  praise  of  all  your  country 
men. 

You  had  the  brunt  of  the  battle  on  land.  You  bore 
yourselves  with  supreme  courage,  and  your  personal 
bravery,  never  before  excelled  anywhere,  has  won  the 
admiration  of  your  fellow-citizens  and  the  genuine  re 
spect  of  all  mankind,  while  the  endurance  of  the  soldier 
under  peculiar  trial  and  suffering  has  given  an  added 
meaning  to  American  heroism.  Your  victories  made 
easy  the  conquest  of  Porto  Rico,  under  the  resistless 
army  commanded  by  Major-General  Miles,  and  behind 


82  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

you,  ready  to  proceed  at  a  moment's  summons,  were 
more  than  two  hundred  thousand  of  your  comrades, 
disappointed  that  the  opportunity  which  you  had  did 
not  come  to  them,  but  yet  filled  with  pride  at  your  well- 
earned  fame  and  rejoicing  with  you  upon  your  signal 
victories.  You  were  on  the  line  of  battle ;  they  no  less 
than  you  were  in  the  line  of  duty.  All  have  served 
their  country  in  its  hour  of  need ;  all  will  serve  it  so 
long  as  they  are  required ;  and  all  will  forever  have  the 
thanks  and  regard  of  a  grateful  people. 

We  cannot  bid  you  welcome  here  to-day  without  our 
hearts  going  out  to  the  heroes  of  Manila  on  sea  and  land, 
whose  services  and  sacrifices,  whose  courage  and  con 
stancy,  in  that  far-distant  field  of  operations,  have  never 
been  surpassed  by  any  sailors  or  soldiers  the  world  over. 
To  the  army  and  navy,  to  the  marines,  to  the  regulars, 
to  the  volunteers,  and  to  that  Providence  which  has 
watched  over  them  all,  the  nation  to-day  is  full  of  thanks 
giving  and  praise.  The  names  of  the  brave  officers  and 
men  who  fell  in  battle  and  of  those  who  have  died  from 
exposure  and  sickness  will  live  in  immortal  story.  Their 
memories  will  be  perpetuated  in  the  hearts  and  history 
of  a  generous  people;  and  those  who  are  dependent 
upon  them  will  not  be  neglected  by  the  government 
for  which  they  so  freely  sacrificed  their  lives.  [Prolonged 
cheering.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  83 


XXXIV. 

REMARKS  TO  THE  COMMISSION  APPOINTED  TO  INVESTI 
GATE  THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  THE  WAR  DEPARTMENT 
IN  THE  SPANISH- AMERICAN  WAR,  EXECUTIVE  MANSION, 
SEPTEMBER  26,  1898. 

Gentlemen : 

Before  suggesting  the  matters  which  shall  come 
before  you  for  investigation,  I  desire  to  express  my 
appreciation  to  each  of  you  for  your  willingness  to  accept 
the  patriotic  service  to  which  you  have  been  invited. 

You  are  to  perform  one  of  the  highest  public  duties 
that  can  fall  to  a  citizen,  and  your  unselfishness  in 
undertaking  it  makes  me  profoundly  grateful. 

There  has  been  in  many  quarters  severe  criticism  of 
the  conduct  of  the  war  with  Spain.  Charges  of  criminal 
neglect  of  the  soldiers  in  camp  and  field  and  hospital  and 
in  transports  have  been  so  persistent  that,  whether  true 
or  false,  they  have  made  a  deep  impression  upon  the 
country.  It  is  my  earnest  desire  that  you  shall  thor 
oughly  investigate  these  charges,  and  make  the  fullest 
examination  of  the  administration  of  the  War  Depart 
ment  in  all  of  its  branches,  with  the  view  to  establishing 
the  truth  or  falsity  of  these  accusations.  I  put  upon 
you  no  limit  to  the  scope  of  your  investigation.  Of  all 
departments  connected  with  the  army  I  invite  the 
closest  scrutiny  and  examination,  and  shall  afford  every 
facility  for  the  most  searching  inquiry.  The  records  of 
the  War  Department  and  the  assistance  of  its  ofiicers 
shall  be  subject  to  your  call. 


84  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

I  cannot  impress  upon  you  too  strongly  my  wish  that 
your  investigation  shall  be  so  thorough  and  complete  that 
your  report,  when  made,  shall  fix  the  responsibility  for 
any  failure  or  fault,  by  reason  of  neglect,  incompetency, 
or  maladministration,  upon  the  officers  and  bureaus 
responsible  therefor— if  it  be  found  that  the  evils  com 
plained  of  have  existed. 

The  people  of  the  country  are  entitled  to  know  whether 
or  not  the  citizens  who  so  promptly  responded  to  the 
call  of  duty  have  been  neglected  or  misused  or  mal 
treated  by  the  government  to  which  they  so  willingly 
gave  their  services.  If  there  have  been  wrongs  com 
mitted,  the  wrong-doers  must  not  escape  conviction  and 
punishment. 

XXXV. 

REMARKS  AT  DE  KALB,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

It  was  no  part  of  the  program  that  I  should  be  wel 
comed  by  the  people  of  De  Kalb  at  this  hour  of  the  morn 
ing,  but  I  appreciate  your  generous  welcome,  and  share 
with  you  in  congratulations  to  our  country  and  to  your 
army  and  navy  for  the  successful  issues  of  the  last  four 
months.  I  am  sure  there  has  never  been  a  time  in  our 
history  when  patriotism  has  been  more  marked  or  more 
universal  than  it  is  to-day,  and  the  same  high  purpose 
which  characterized  the  conduct  of  the  people  in  war 
will  influence  and  control  them  in  the  settlements  of 
peace.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  85 

XXXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  CLINTON,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

I  have  not  fitting  words  to  express  my  appreciation 
of  this  cordial  welcome.  We  have  gone  from  indus 
trial  depression  to  industrial  activity.  We  have  gone 
from  labor  seeking  employment  to  employment  seeking 
labor.  [Applause.]  We  have  abundant  and  unques 
tionable  currency  the  world  over,  and  we  have  an  un 
surpassed  national  credit— better  than  it  has  ever  been 
before  in  our  history. 

We  have,  too,  a  good  national  conscience,  and  we  have 
the  courage  of  destiny.  [Great  applause.]  We  have 
much  to  be  grateful  for  in  the  stirring  events  of  the  past 
six  months.  The  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States 
have  won  not  only  praise,  but  the  admiration  of  the 
world.  [Cheers.] 

Our  achievements  on  land  and  sea  are  without  paral 
lel  in  the  world's  history.  During  all  these  trying  months 
the  people  of  the  United  States  have  stood  together  as 
one  man.  North  and  South  have  been  united  as  never 
before.  [Applause.]  People  who  think  alike  in  a  coun 
try  like  ours  must  act  together.  That  is  what  we  have 
been  doing  recently,  and  we  want  to  continue  to  act 
together  until  the  fruits  of  our  war  shall  be  embodied 
in  solemn  and  permanent  settlements.  [Applause.] 

We  want  no  diif  erences  at  home  until  we  have  settled 
our  differences  abroad  [applause] ;  when  that  is  all  done, 
we  can  have  our  little  differences  among  ourselves.  I 


86  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

am  glad  to  be  in  the  State  of  Iowa ;  I  am  glad  to  meet 
and  be  greeted  by  yonr  representatives  in  Congress 
and  by  your  honored  governor,  and  I  need  not  tell  you 
how  glad  I  am  to  meet  my  old  friend,  your  distinguished 
senator  [Senator  Allison].  [Great  applause.] 


XXXVIL 

REMARKS  AT   DEWITT,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  cannot  be  indifferent  to  the  very  generous  greeting 
that  has  been  given  me  since  I  entered  your  great  State. 
At  every  point  your  people  have  made  me  feel  entirely 
at  home.  Indeed,  there  is  no  part  of  this  glorious  coun 
try  where  every  citizen  may  not  feel  at  home.  [Applause.] 

XXXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  CEDAR  RAPIDS,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

Mr.  Mayor,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  meet  the  citizens  of 
Cedar  Rapids  as  we  journe}^  to  the  great  Western  city 
whither  I  go  to  celebrate  with  the  people  of  the  trans- 
Mississippi  States  the  triumphs  of  their  skill,  their  genius, 
and  their  industry.  It  is  a  fortunate  situation  that  this 
people,  while  engaged  in  war,  never  neglect  the  indus 
tries  of  peace.  And  while  the  war  was  going  on  and 
we  were  engaged  in  arms  against  a  foreign  foe,  the  in 
dustries  of  the  people  went  on,  and  their  progress  and 
prosperity  were  in  no  wise  checked.  [Great  applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  87 

I  go  thither,  also,  that  I  may  celebrate  with  my  fellow- 
countrymen  of  the  West  the  progress  of  the  war  thus  far 
made,  the  protocol  already  signed,  and  the  suspension  of 
hostilities,  with  the  hope  you  and  I  entertain  that,  in 
the  final  settlements,  the  treaty  may  be  one  founded  in 
right  and  justice  and  in  the  interest  of  humanity. 
[Applause.]  This  war,  that  was  so  speedily  closed 
through  the  valor  and  intrepidity  of  our  soldiers,  will 
bring  us,  I  trust,  blessings  that  are  now  beyond  cal 
culation.  [Applause.]  It  will  bring  also  burdens,  but 
the  American  people  never  shirk  a  responsibility  and 
never  unload  a  burden  that  carries  forward  civilization. 
We  accepted  war  for  humanity.  We  can  accept  no 
terms  of  peace  which  shall  not  be  in  the  interest  of 
humanity.  [Great  applause.]  That  hostilities  have 
ceased  upon  terms  so  satisfactory  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States  is  cause  for  congratulation,  and  calls 
forth  sentiments  of  gratitude  to  divine  Providence  for 
those  favors  which  he  has  manifested  unto  us,  and  of 
appreciation  of  the  army  and  navy  for  their  brilliant 
victories. 

Such  a  celebration  cannot  but  be  helpful.  It  will  en 
courage  love  of  country,  and  will  emphasize  the  noble 
achievements  of  our  soldiers  and  sailors  on  land  and  sea. 
War  has  no  glories  except  it  achieves  them,  and  no 
achievements  are  worth  having  which  do  not  advance 
civilization  and  benefit  mankind.  [Great  applause.] 
While  our  victories  in  battle  have  added  new  honors  to 
American  valor,  the  real  honor  is  the  substantial  gain 
to  humanity.  Out  of  the  bitterness  and  woe,  the  priva 
tions  and  sufferings  and  anxieties  of  the  past  five 
months,  will  flow  benefits  to  the  nation  which  may  be 
more  important  than  we  can  now  realize. 


88  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

No  development  of  the  war  has  been  more  gratifying 
and  exalting  than  the  complete  unification  of  the  nation. 
Sectional  lines  have  been  obliterated ;  party  differences 
have  been  hushed  in  the  great  chorus  of  patriotism  which 
has  been  heard  from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other. 
[Great  applause.]  To  the  Executive's  call  for  volunteers 
no  more  prompt  response  was  received  than  came  from 
the  patriotic  people  of  the  South  and  the  West,  and 
none  was  more  patriotic  than  that  of  the  people  of 
Iowa.  And  when  the  orders  were  given  to  advance 
into  a  foreign  territory,  every  soldier  was  disappointed 
whose  regiment  was  not  included  in  the  orders  to 
march.  All  were  anxious  to  be  with  that  portion  of  the 
army  which  was  first  to  meet  the  enemy.  Our  grati 
tude  is  boundless  to  these  brave  men,  and  the  nation 
will  hold  them  in  perpetual  memory.  [Applause.] 

In  paying  tribute  to  the  patriotism  and  valor  of  the 
men  engaged  in  the  war,  we  must  not  fail  to  give  de 
served  praise  to  the  nobility  of  the  women.  As  in  the 
war  for  independence  and  for  the  Union,  they  never 
hesitated  or  murmured,  freely  offering  their  best  be 
loved  on  the  altar  of  their  country.  Husbands  and  sons 
went  from  every  walk  of  life,  even  at  personal  self-sacri 
fice  in  the  struggle  for  support,  and  were  not  held  back, 
but  encouraged  to  respond  to  the  sacred  call  of  duty. 
Alert,  generous,  and  practical  in  providing  relief  work, 
ministering  where  disease  and  death  were  most  frequent 
in  the  camps  and  at  the  front,  tenderly  resigned  and 
sublime  in  their  submission  and  faith  when  death  claimed 
the  dearest  of  their  household,  the  women  of  the  United 
States,  in  all  the  nation's  trials  through  which  we  have 
passed,  have  placed  the  government  and  the  people  under 
a  debt  of  gratitude  that  they  can  never  repay.  [Great 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  89 

applause.]  They  have  added  new  glory  to  the  rare 
and  exquisite  qualities  of  American  womanhood.  [Pro 
longed  applause.] 


XXXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  BELLE  PLAIXE,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  am  glad  to  meet  the  constituents  of  your  honored 
representative,  Mr.  Cousins.  Iowa,  following  the  rule 
of  the  old  New  England  States,  as  well  as  of  some  of  the 
Southern  States,  has  gained  great  influence  in  the  coun 
cils  of  the  nation  by  keeping  men  of  experience  on 
guard.  And  I  want  to  say  to  this  audience  of  Iowa 
people  that  through  all  the  stirring  months,  from  April 
to  September,  the  President  of  the  United  States  felt 
the  constant  and  faithful  support  of  Iowa's  representa 
tives  in  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives.  [Ap 
plause.]  Iowa  is  not  only  great  in  civil  council,  but 
she  is  never  behind  when  the  call  is  made  to  arms.  Her 
sons  in  the  recent  war,  as  well  as  in  the  great  Civil  War, 
were  among  the  first  at  the  front. 

This  war  has  taught  us  a  great  many  lessons,  and  one 
of  the  most  priceless  connected  with  the  conflict  has 
been  the  triumph  of  our  humanity.  There  have  been 
touches  of  humanity  in  this  recent  war  that  will  impress 
mankind  for  all  time.  In  the  words  of  the  commander 
of  the  ship  who  said  to  his  crew,  "  Don't  cheer,  the  poor 
fellows  are  dying  "  ;  when  the  commander  of  that  other 
ship  said  to  his  crew,  u  Don't  fire,  the  flag  has  gone 
down'7;  in  the  command  of  the  colonel  of  the  Rough 


90  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Riders,  "  Don't  swear ;  fight !  "  we  seem  almost  to  get  a 
glance  of  the  divine  spark  in  the  nobility  of  the  men 
who  participated  in  our  war.  [Great  applause.] 

What  we  want,  my  fellow-citizens,  is  that  the  conclu 
sion  of  this  war,  as  written  in  public  treaty,  shall  be  a 
triumph  for  humanity.  [Great  applause.] 


XL. 

SPEECH  AT  TAMA,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

It  gives  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  meet  my  fellow-citi 
zens  in  the  home  county  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture, 
and  I  feel  very  much  like  thanking  all  of  you  for  having 
contributed  him  to  the  country,  for  he  has  been  a  most 
valuable  public  servant  in  the  administration  of  his  great 
office.  [Cheers.] 

From  April  to  September  have  been  important  months 
for  us,  and  during  that  time  history  has  been  made  for 
the  United  States— made  by  the  brave  men  from  every 
State  in  the  Union,  North  and  South,  on  land  and  on 
sea ;  and  we  have  great  cause  for  congratulation  that 
hostilities  were  suspended  at  so  early  a  date,  and  for 
the  victory  that  came  to  our  arms. 

Now,  what  we  want  to  do  as  a  nation— and  I  speak  to 
all  the  people— is  to  see  to  it  that  in  the  final  settlement 
of  this  controversy  we  shall  have  the  glorious  fulfil 
ment  of  the  best  aspirations  of  the  American  people. 
We  want  to  preserve  carefully  all  the  old  life  of  the 
nation,— the  dear  old  life  of  the  nation  and  our  cherished 
institutions,— but  we  do  not  want  to  shirk  a  single  re- 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  91 

sponsibility  that  has  been  put  upon  us  by  the  results  of 
the  war.     [Great  applause.] 


XLL 

SPEECH  AT  MARSHALL/TOWN,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

It  is  to  me  most  gratifying  to  find  the  people  taking 
an  interest  in  their  government.  All  power  rests  with 
them,  and  those  of  us  who  for  the  moment  are  selected 
to  execute  their  will,  are  but  their  servants.  No  people 
have  greater  cause  for  pride  in  their  government  than 
those  of  the  United  States.  And  you  will  be  glad  to 
know  that  in  credit  your  government  never  stood  bet 
ter  than  now.  [Applause.]  You  will  be  glad  to  be  re 
minded  that  when  it  was  necessary  to  raise  money  for 
the  prosecution  of  the  war,  and  a  loan  was  sought  of 
two  hundred  millions  of  dollars,  more  than  fourteen 
hundred  millions  were  subscribed  by  the  people  of  the 
United  States  [applause],  and  for  the  first  time  in  our 
history  your  government — my  government — sells  a 
three-per-cent.  bond,  a  bond  which  sold  at  par,  which 
is  now  worth  a  premium  of  five  cents  on  every  dollar, 
which  profit  has  gone  to  the  people.  For  it  was  a  pop 
ular  loan,  and  no  citizen  was  able  to  receive  more  than 
five  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  bonds.  [Applause.] 

I  am  always  glad,  my  fellow-citizens,  to  meet  with  the 
people.  They  make  the  public  sentiment  of  the  country, 
and  it  is  the  public  sentiment  of  the  country  that  gov 
erns  the  country.  The  best  sentiment,  the  holiest  senti 
ment,  comes  from  the  American  homes — the  plain  homes 


92  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

where  virtue  resides  ;  and  a  home  life,  a  family  life,  lies 
at  the  very  foundation  of  this  popular  government  of 
ours.  As  long  as  we  keep  the  homes  pure,  so  long  will 
we  keep  our  government  pure.  [Applause.] 

I  see  a  number  of  old  soldiers  about  me.  I  am  glad 
to  meet  them.  I  see  some  of  the  young  soldiers  about 
me.  I  am  glad  to  meet  them.  The  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  will  be  increased,  and  there  will  be  two  hun 
dred  and  twenty  thousand  soldiers  eligible  for  admission 
into  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  made  so  by  the 
recent  war  with  Spain,  and  we  welcome  them,  for  they 
are  our  comrades.  They  did  just  as  the  old  soldiers  of 
the  other  volunteer  army  did— they  did  their  whole  duty, 
and  were  willing  to  bare  their  breasts  to  the  enemy's 
bullets,  and  sacrifice  their  lives,  if  need  be,  for  the  honor 
of  the  government  of  the  United  States.  [Applause.] 
No  more  splendid  army  was  ever  mustered  beneath  any 
flag  than  the  army  of  the  United  States,  numbering  two 
hundred  and  sixty  thousand  men,  mustered  inside  of 
sixty  days.  And  in  one  hundred  and  thirteen  days 
hostilities  were  suspended.  And  we  are  all  of  us  pray 
ing  in  our  hearts  and  in  our  homes  that  the  peace  which 
shall  be  finally  secured  shall  be  as  humane  and  as  honor 
able  and  as  just  as  has  been  the  prosecution  of  the  war. 
[Great  applause.] 

XLII. 

SPEECH  AT  AMES,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

I  am  glad  to  meet  you  as  I  have  been  meeting  thou 
sands  of  your  fellow-citizens  on  our  journey  through 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  93 

your  State  and  to  be  at  the  seat  of  the  Agricultural 
College  of  Iowa.  One  of  the  wisest  things  this  govern 
ment  ever  did  was  to  make  ample  provision  for  these 
great  agricultural  and  educational  institutions  through 
out  the  land.  We  have  more  than  half  a  hundred  of 
them  now,  attesting  the  far-sightedness  and  sagacity 
of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  ^In  a  govern 
ment  like  ours  citizenship  is  always  improved  by  edu 
cation,  and  the  pride  and  glory  of  the  nation  is  that 
the  school-room  has  an  open  door  for  every  boy  and  girl 
of  the  land.  And  one  of  the  encouraging  things  in 
this  country  is  that  the  poorest  boy  in  the  land  may 
aspire  to  the  highest  place  in  the  government  of  the  re 
public.  The  citizenship  that  comes  out  of  the  schools  of 
the  country  is  the  hope  of  the  country.  When  our  war 
commenced  in  1861 —the  Civil  War— the  young  men  from 
the  schools  and  universities  in  every  part  of  the  North 
enlisted  under  the  banner  of  liberty.  When  our  recent 
war  with  Spain  commenced,  the  young  men  from  the 
schools  and  the  colleges,  and  from  the  universities,  and 
from  every  rank  and  station  in  life,  enlisted  to  carry 
forward  that  banner  of  glory  into  a  foreign  land,  and 
die,  if  need  be,  for  the  honor  of  the  republic.  [Great 
applause.]  It  is  a  glorious  citizenship  we  have.  It  meets 
every  emergency  and  responds  to  every  crisis  in  the  life 
of  the  nation.  The  American  people  have  never  failed, 
no  matter  how  great  the  emergency,  no  matter  how 
grave  the  crisis,  to  measure  up  to  the  highest  respon 
sibilities  of  honor  and  duty.  [Great  applause.] 

We  have  much  to  be  grateful  for.  Xo  nation  in 
the  world  has  more  cause  for  profound  thankfulness 
than  the  American  nation  to-day.  We  have  passed 
through  a  foreign  war.  Xo  one  knew  at  its  beginning 


94  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

what  its  results  might  immediately  be.  We  all  knew 
what  its  results  must  ultimately  be,  but  we  did  not 
know  how  much  it  would  cost  in  life  or  treasure  to  se 
cure  these  results.  At  the  end  of  less  than  four 
months  hostilities  were  suspended,  and  one  half  of  the 
army  that  volunteered  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  country 
were  mustered  out  and  returned  to  their  homes.  And 
then  what  results  have  been  accomplished  for  humanity, 
for  civilization,  against  oppression  !  [Great  applause.] 
Of  which  results  we  need  not  speak  now,  for  these  results 
are  yet  unknown  and  unwritten. 

All  we  can  do  as  a  people  in  the  present  situation  is 
just  what  we  have  done  in  the  last  four  months :  stand 
together  and  be  wise  and  respond  to  duty— the  respon 
sibility  of  duty,  however  grave  that  may  be.  [Great  ap 
plause.] 

XLIII. 
SPEECH  AT  BOONE,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

During  this  day  I  have  been  made  very  deeply  sensible 
of  the  manifestations  of  good  will  from  the  people  of 
Iowa  that  have  followed  me  all  along  my  journey  through 
your  State.  I  do  not  misinterpret  its  meaning.  I  know 
how  little,  if  anything,  there  is  personal  in  it.  I  know 
you  are  showing  your  respect  for  the  great  office  of 
President  of  the  United  States,  an  office  which,  fortu 
nately  for  us,  always,  in  every  administration,— no  matter 
who  has  administered  it, — has  commanded  the  respect  of 
the  whole  American  people.  We  are  fortunate  to-day, 
more  fortunate  than  we  have  been  for  more  than  half  a 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  95 

century,  in  having  an  undivided  and  indivisible  and 
united  nation.  [Applause.] 

Every  section  of  this  country  loves  the  old  flag  dearly, 
and  we  have  but  one  flag,  and  that  the  glorious  Stars  and 
Stripes.  [Applause.]  It  is  a  sight  inspiring  to  behold 
that  in  our  war  the  troops  of  the  North  brigaded  with 
the  troops  of  the  South  ;  that  Iowa  troops  were  brigaded 
with  the  troops  of  Georgia,  and  commanded  by  that 
distinguished  ex-Confederate,  whose  name  is  so  familiar 
in  the  annals  of  the  Civil  War,  so  that  once  more  we 
were  all  together.  We  were  all  together  in  the  fight ; 
we  must  be  all  together  in  the  conclusion.  [Cheers.] 
This  is  no  time  for  divided  councils.  This  is  the  solemn 
hour  demanding  the  highest  wisdom  and  the  best  states 
manship  of  every  section  of  our  country,  and,  thank 
God,  there  is  no  North,  no  South,  no  East,  no  West, 
but  all  Americans  forever.  [Great  applause.] 

The  only  great  danger  for  this  people  is  that  now  and 
then  they  become  indifferent.  Indifferent  citizenship  is 
always  unfortunate ;  it  is  always  unfortunate  to  be  in 
different  to  a  party,  but  it  is  more  unfortunate  to  be 
indifferent  to  principle.  In  the  United  States  we  have 
grown  to  have  convictions,  and  we  have  come  to  know 
how  to  put  these  convictions  into  public  law  and  public 
administration.  If  I  would  have  you  remember  any 
thing  I  have  said  in  these  desultory  remarks,  it  would 
be  to  remember  at  this  critical  hour  in  the  nation's  his 
tory  we  must  not  be  divided.  The  triumphs  of  the  war 
are  yet  to  be  written  in  the  articles  of  peace.  [Great 
a/pplause.] 


96  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

XLIV. 

SPEECH  AT  CARROLL,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  am  glad  to  meet  the  people  of  Carroll,  and  read  in 
your  cheerful  faces  that  you  are  fairly  well  satisfied  with 
your  own  condition  and  that  of  the  country.  We  have 
been  having  for  the  past  five  months  very  stirring 
events,  and,  fortunately  for  us,  we  have  been  triumphant. 
Providence  has  been  extremely  kind  to  the  American 
people— kind  not  only  in  the  recent  conflict  of  arms, 
but  in  every  step  and  stage  of  our  history  from  its  very 
beginning  until  now.  We  have  been  singularly  blessed 
and  favored.  The  past  of  our  country  is  secure,  and  it 
is  glorious.  It  is  the  future  with  which  we  have  to  deal ; 
and  if  we  shall  be  as  wise  as  our  fathers,  then  this  gov 
ernment  will  be  carried  on  successfully  by  their  sons. 

Just  at  this  hour,  although  hostilities  have  been  sus 
pended,  we  are  confronted  with  the  gravest  national 
problems.  It  is  a  time  for  the  soberest  judgment  and 
the  most  conservative  and  considerate  action.  As  we 
have  stood  together  in  the  war,  so  we  must  stand  to 
gether  until  the  results  of  that  war  shall  be  written  in 
peace.  [Great  applause.]  I  am  here  journeying  to  the 
city  of  Omaha,  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  pay  my  re 
spects  to  the  people  of  Iowa,  and  to  congratulate  them 
upon  the  valor  of  the  American  army  and  navy,  and 
upon  the  prosperous  condition  of  the  country. 

We  have  a  great  country— we  will  be  excused  if  we 
say  the  greatest  country  in  the  world ;  great  in  its  pos- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  97 

sibilities,  great  in  its  opportunities.  And  with  these 
rest  upon  all  of  us  great  responsibilities.  I  trust  that 
we  will  be  able  to  meet  them  and  to  measure  up  to  every 
opportunity  of  honor  and  duty.  [Loud  and  prolonged 
applause.] 

XLV. 

SPEECH  AT  DENISOX,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  am  both  gratified  and  honored  to  meet  my  country 
men  at  the  home  of  the  governor  of  the  State  of  Iowa. 
I  remember  with  what  satisfaction,  in  response  to  the 
first  call  of  the  Executive  for  troops,  I  received  his  mes 
sage  saying  that  Iowa  was  ready  to  furnish  any  number 
of  troops  to  sustain  the  honor  and  dignity  of  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States.  I  remember,  also,  at  the 
conclusion  of  hostilities,  when  the  time  had  come  for 
the  muster  out  of  a  part  of  that  great  volunteer  army, 
he  said,  speaking  for  all  the  people  of  all  the  State,  that 
Iowa's  troops  would  remain  just  as  long  as  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States  needed  them.  [Loud  and 
prolonged  cheering.] 

I  am  glad,  also,  to  meet  the  constituents  of  my  honored 
and  eloquent  friend,  your  representative  in  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  [Representative  Dolliver].  I  have 
known  him  long  and  well,  and  I  am  sure  this  district 
honors  itself  in  having  so  distinguished  a  representative 
at  the  seat  of  government. 

This  is  an  era  of  patriotism.  There  are  no  party 
lines.  Partizanship  has  been  hushed,  and  the  voice  of 
patriotism  alone  is  heard  throughout  the  land.  Never 


98  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

was  there  a  more  united  people.  Never  since  the  begin 
ning  of  the  government  itself  were  the  people  of  this 
country  so  united  in  aim  and  purpose  and  hope  as  at  the 
present  hour.  As  they  were  united  in  the  war,  so  they 
will  be  united  until  peace  finally  comes— a  peace  founded 
upon  right  and  justice  and  humanity.  [Great  applause.] 

We  have  much  to  be  grateful  for  in  other  directions 
than  our  martial  achievements.  We  have  much  to  be 
grateful  for  because  of  the  condition  of  the  country. 
We  have  a  fair  share  of  prosperity  in  the  field  and  the 
factory.  Business  looks  hopeful  and  assuring  every 
where,  and  our  credit  balances  show  the  progress  which 
the  country  is  making.  In  1892,  six  years  ago,  we  sent 
more  products  out  of  the  United  States  than  we  had  ever 
sent  before.  This  year  we  have  sent  more  products  to 
Europe,  receiving  in  payment  their  good  gold,  than  were 
ever  shipped  there  out  of  the  United  States  in  a  single 
year  of  our  history.  [Great  applause.]  One  billion  two 
hundred  million  dollars'  worth  of  American  products,  the 
production  of  your  fields  and  your  labor,  went  out  of  the 
United  States  this  year,  and  more  than  eight  hundred 
million  dollars  of  that  sum  were  made  up  of  agricultural 
products,  while  our  importations,  or  what  we  bought 
abroad,  were  only  about  one  half  of  what  we  sold  abroad, 
leaving  a  large  balance  in  our  favor.  This  is  a  cause  of 
congratulation  from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the 
other,  for  if  there  is  any  one  thing  that  makes  the 
people  contented  and  happy,  it  is  to  have  a  fair  share 
of  prosperity.  [Great  applause.] 

And  now,  my  fellow-citizens,  thanking  you  as  I  have 
thanked  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  people  who  have 
greeted  me  to-day  in  your  State  with  a  cordial  and 
hearty  welcome,  I  bid  you  all  good  night. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  99 

•*• 

XLYI. 

REMARKS  AT  LOGAN,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Felloic-Citizens  : 

I  have  had  to-day  so  many  exhibitions  of  Iowa's  kind 
ness  and  hospitality  that  I  shall  leave  the  State  with  very 
great  regret.  At  every  point  of  my  journey  I  have  been 
welcomed  by  the  people  with  a  heartiness  and  a  cordial 
ity  which,  I  assure  you,  have  profoundly  touched  me.  I 
am  glad  to  see  that  wherever  I  have  been  the  people  of 
this  goodly  State  are  prosperous  and  happy,  and  that 
they  love  the  government  and  love  the  flag.  [Great  ap 
plause.] 

XLYII. 

SPEECH  AT  MISSOURI  VALLEY,  IOWA, 
OCTOBER  11,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

No  one  with  my  experience  of  to-day,  meeting  hun 
dreds  of  thousands  of  people  in  your  State  and  in  the 
State  of  Illinois,  can  have  doubt  as  to  the  strength  and 
spirit  of  popular  government.  This  government  of  ours 
is  safe  in  the  hands  of  its  people,  because  they  have  no 
other  aim  but  the  public  good,  and  no  other  purpose  but 
to  attain  for  the  government  the  highest  destiny  and 
the  greatest  prosperity.  I  have  been  glad  to  note  all 
along  the  line  of  my  journey  evidences  of  substantial 
prosperity  in  every  walk  and  field  of  human  energy,  and 


SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

I  congratulate  you  upon  your  material  advancement 
and  the  high  standard  of  this  people  and  this  govern 
ment,  not  only  in  the  estimation  of  its  own  citizens,  but 
in  the  estimation  of  the  world. 

The  grave  problems  that  are  before  us  must  be  settled. 
If  we  will  only  pursue  the  right,  following  duty  at  what 
ever  cost,  the  ends  reached  will  be  for  the  honor  and 
glory  of  our  beloved  country.  I  rejoice  to  know,  as  I 
do  know,  that  in  the  contest  that  is  now  stayed,  and 
the  problems  which  are  to  follow,  the  American  people 
will  act  together  as  one  man— act  together  not  only 
for  the  good  of  our  own  country,  but  for  the  good  of 
other  peoples,  in  relation  to  whom  the  war  has  imposed 
a  duty  upon  us.  [Great  applause.] 


XLYIII. 

ADDRESS  AT  THE  TRANS-MISSISSIPPI  EXPOSITION  AT 
OMAHA,  NEBRASKA,  OCTOBER  12,  1898. 

Mr.  President,  Gentlemen  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  Expo 
sition,  and  Fellow-Citizens : 

It  is  with  genuine  pleasure  that  I  meet  once  more  the 
people  of  Omaha,  whose  wealth  of  welcome  is  not  alto 
gether  unfamiliar  to  me,  and  whose  warm  hearts  have 
before  touched  and  moved  me.  For  this  renewed  mani 
festation  of  your  regard,  and  for  the  cordial  reception  of 
to-day,  my  heart  responds  with  profound  gratitude  and 
a  deep  appreciation  which  I  cannot  conceal,  and  which 
the  language  of  compliment  is  inadequate  to  convey. 
My  greeting  is  not  alone  to  your  city  and  the  State  of 
Nebraska,  but  to  the  people  of  all  the  States  of  the 


OF  WILLIAM  McKiNLEY.  101 

Trans-Mississippi  group  participating  here,  and  I  cannot 
withhold  congratulations  on  the  evidences  of  their 
prosperity  furnished  by  this  great  exposition.  If  testi 
mony  were  needed  to  establish  the  fact  that  their 
pluck  has  not  deserted  them,  and  that  prosperity  is 
again  with  them,  it  is  found  here.  This  picture  dispels 
all  doubt.  [Applause.] 

In  an  age  of  expositions  they  have  added  yet  another 
magnificent  example.  [Applause.]  The  historical  celebra 
tions  at  Philadelphia  and  Chicago,  and  the  splendid  ex 
hibits  at  New  Orleans,  Atlanta,  and  Nashville,  are  now 
part  of  the  past,  and  yet  in  influence  they  still  live,  and 
their  beneficent  results  are  closely  interwoven  with  our 
national  development.  Similar  rewards  will  honor  the 
authors  and  patrons  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  and  Inter 
national  Exposition.  Their  contribution  will  mark  an 
other  epoch  in  the  nation's  material  advancement. 

One  of  the  great  laws  of  life  is  progress,  and  nowhere 
have  the  principles  of  this  law  been  so  strikingly  illus 
trated  as  in  the  United  States.  A  century  and  a  decade 
of  our  national  life  have  turned  doubt  into  conviction, 
changed  experiment  into  demonstration,  revolutionized 
old  methods,  and  wTon  new  triumphs  which  have  chal 
lenged  the  attention  of  the  world.  This  is  true  not  only 
of  the  accumulation  of  material  wealth,  and  advance  in 
education,  science,  invention,  and  manufactures,  but, 
above  all,  in  the  opportunities  to  the  people  for  their 
own  elevation,  which  have  been  secured  by  wise  free 
government. 

Hitherto,  in  peace  and  in  war,  with  additions  to  our 
territory  and  slight  changes  in  our  laws,  we  have  steadily 
enforced  the  spirit  of  the  Constitution  secured  to  us  by 
the  noble  self-sacrifice  and  far-seeing  sagacity  of  our 


102  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

ancestors.  We  have  avoided  the  temptations  of  con 
quest  in  the  spirit  of  gain.  With  an  increasing  love  for 
our  institutions  and  an  abiding  faith  in  their  stability, 
we  have  made  the  triumphs  of  our  system  of  government 
in  the  progress  and  the  prosperity  of  our  people  an  in 
spiration  to  the  whole  human  race.  [Applause.]  Con 
fronted  at  this  moment  by  new  and  grave  problems,  we 
must  recognize  that  their  solution  will  affect  not  our 
selves  alone,  but  others  of  the  family  of  nations. 

In  this  age  of  frequent  interchange  and  mutual  de 
pendence,  we  cannot  shirk  our  international  responsi 
bilities  if  we  would ;  they  must  be  met  with  courage  and  -r-.J 
wisdom,  and  we  must  follow  duty  $yen  if  desire  opposes. 
[Applause.]  No  deliberation  can  be  too  mature,  or  self- 
control  too  constant,  in  this  solemn  hour  of  our  history. 
We  must  avoid  the  temptation  of  aggression,  and  aim 
to  secure  only  such  results  as  will  promote  our  own 
and  the  general  good. 

It  has  been  said  by  some  one  that  the  normal  condi 
tion  of  nations  is  war.  That  is  not  true  of  the  United 
States.  We  never  enter  upon  a  war  until  every  effort 
for  peace  without  it  has  been  exhausted.  Ours  has 
never  been  a  military  government.  Peace,  with  whose 
blessings  we  have  been  so  singularly  favored,  is  the  na 
tional  desire  and  the  goal  of  every  American  aspiration. 
[Applause.] 

On  the  25th  of  April,  for  the  first  time  for  more  than 
a  generation,  the  United  States  sounded  the  call  to  arms. 
The  banners  of  war  were  unfurled ;  the  best  and  bravest 
from  every  section  responded  j  a  mighty  army  was  en 
rolled  5  the  North  and  the  South  vied  with  each  other  in 
patriotic  devotion  [great  applause]  j  science  was  invoked 
to  furnish  its  most  effective  weapons;  factories  were 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  103 

rushed  to  supply  equipment ;  the  youth  and  the  veteran 
joined  in  freely  offering  their  services  to  their  country ; 
volunteers  and  regulars  and  all  the  people  rallied  to  the 
support  of  the  republic.  There  was  no  break  in  the  line, 
no  halt  in  the  march,  no  fear  in  the  heart  [great  ap 
plause]  5  no  resistance  to  the  patriotic  impulse  at  home, 
no  successful  resistance  to  the  patriotic  spirit  of  the 
troops  fighting  in  distant  water  or  on  a  foreign  shore. 
[Continued  applause.] 

What  a  wonderful  experience  it  has  been  from  the 
standpoint  of  patriotism  and  achievement !  The  storm 
broke  so  suddenly  that  it  was  here  almost  before  we 
realized  it.  Our  navy  was  too  small,  though  forceful  with 
its  modern  equipment,  and  most  fortunate  in  its  trained 
officers  and  sailors.  Our  army  had  years  ago  been 
reduced  to  a  peace  footing.  We  had  only  twenty-eight 
thousand  available  troops  when  the  war  was  declared, 
but  the  account  which  officers  and  men  gave  of  them 
selves  on  the  battle-field  has  never  been  surpassed.  The 
manhood  was  there  and  ever}rwhere.  American  pa 
triotism  was  there,  and  its  resources  were  limitless.  The 
courageous  and  invincible  spirit  of  the  people  proved 
glorious,  and  those  who  a  little  more  than  a  third  of  a 
century  ago  were  divided  and  at  war  with  each  other 
were  again  united  under  the  holy  standard  of  liberty. 
[Great  applause.]  Patriotism  banished  party  feeling; 
fifty  millions  of  dollars  for  the  national  defense  were 
appropriated  without  debate  or  division,  as  a  matter  of 
course  and  as  only  a  mere  indication  of  our  mighty  re 
serve  power.  [Great  applause.] 

But  if  this  is  true  of  the  beginning  of  the  war,  what 
shall  we  say  of  it  now,  with  hostilities  suspended,  and 
peace  near  at  hand,  as  we  fervently  hope  ?  Matchless 


104  SPEECHES  AND  ADDBESSES 

in  its  results !  [Great  applause.]  Unequaled  in  its 
completeness  and  the  quick  succession  with  which  vic 
tory  followed  victory !  Attained  earlier  than  it  was 
believed  to  be  possible ;  so  comprehensive  in  its  sweep 
that  every  thoughtful  man  feels  the  weight  of  responsi 
bility  which  has  been  so  suddenly  thrust  upon  us.  And 
above  all  and  beyond  all,  the  valor  of  the  American 
army  and  the  bravery  of  the  American  navy  and  the 
majesty  of  the  American  name  stand  forth  in  unsullied 
glory,  while  the  humanity  of  our  purposes  and  the  mag 
nanimity  of  our  conduct  have  given  to  war,  always  hor 
rible,  touches  of  noble  generosity,  Christian  sympathy 
and  charity,  and  examples  of  human  grandeur  which 
can  never  be  lost  to  mankind.  [Prolonged  applause.] 
Passion  and  bitterness  formed  no  part  of  our  impelling 
motive,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  feel  that  humanity 
triumphed  at  every  step  of  the  war's  progress.  [Ap 
plause.] 

The  heroes  of  Manila  and  Santiago  and  Porto  Eico 
have  made  immortal  history.  They  are  worthy  succes 
sors  and  descendants  of  Washington  and  Greene;  of 
Paul  Jones,  Decatur,  and  Hull,  and  of  Grant,  Sheridan, 
Sherman,  and  Logan ;  \)f  Farragut,  Porter,  and  Gushing, 
of  Lee,  Jackson,  and  Longstreet.  [Tremendous  applause.] 

New  names  stand  out  on  the  honor-roll  of  the  nation's 
great  men  [applause],  and  with  them,  unnamed,  stand 
the  heroes  of  the  trenches  and  the  forecastle,  invincible 
in  battle  and  uncomplaining  in  death.  [Great  applause.] 
The  intelligent,  loyal,  indomitable  soldier  and  sailor  and 
marine,  regular  and  volunteer,  are  entitled  to  equal 
praise  as  having  done  their  whole  duty,  whether  at 
home  or  under  the  baptism  of  foreign  fire.  [Applause.] 

Who  will  dim  the  splendor  of  their  achievements? 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  105 

Who  will  withhold  from  them  their  well-earned  distinc 
tion?  Who  will  intrude  detraction  at  this  time  to  be 
little  the  manly  spirit  of  the  American  youth  and  impair 
the  usefulness  of  the  American  army?  Who  will  em 
barrass  the  government  by  sowing  seeds  of  dissatisfac 
tion  among  the  brave  men  who  stand  ready  to  serve 
and  die,  if  need  be,  for  their  country  ?  Who  will  darken 
the  counsels  of  the  republic  in  this  hour,  requiring  the 
united  wisdom  of  all  ?  [Cheers  and  prolonged  applause.] 

Shall  we  deny  to  ourselves  what  the  rest  of  the  world 
so  freely  and  so  justly  accords  to  us  I  [General  cry  of 
"  No ! "]  The  men  who  endured  in  the  short  but  de 
cisive  struggle  its  hardships,  its  privations,  whether  in 
field  or  camp,  on  ship  or  in  the  siege,  and  planned  and 
achieved  its  victories,  will  never  tolerate  impeachment, 
either  direct  or  indirect,  of  those  who  won  a  peace  whose 
great  gain  to  civilization  is  yet  unknown  and  unwritten. 
[Tremendous  applause.] 

The  faith  of  a  Christian  nation  recognizes  the  hand 
of  Almighty  God  in  the  ordeal  through  which  we  have 
passed.  Divine  favor  seemed  manifest  everywhere.  In 
fighting  for  humanity's  sake  we  have  been  signally 
blessed.  We  did  not  seek  war.  To  avoid  it,  if  this  could 
be  done  in  honor  and  justice  to  the  rights  of  our  neigh 
bors  and  ourselves,  was  our  constant  prayer.  The  war 
was  no  more  invited  by  us  than  were.the  questions  which 
are  laid  at  our  door  by  its  results.  [Great  applause.] 
Now  as  then  we  will  do  our  duty.  •  [Continued  applause.] 
The  problems  will  not  be  solved  in  a  day.  Patience  will 
be  required — patience  combined  with  sincerity  of  pur 
pose  and  unshaken  resolution  to  do  right,  seeking  only 
the  highest  good  of  the  nation,  and  recognizing  no  other 
obligation,  pursuing  no  other  path,  but  that  of  duty. 


106  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Eight  action  follows  right  purpose.  We  may  not  at 
all  times  be  able  to  divine  the  future,  the  way  may  not 
always  seem  clear  j  but  if  our  aims  are  high  and  unself 
ish,  somehow  and  in  some  way  the  right  end  will  be 
reached.  The  genius  of  the  nation,  its  freedom,  its 
wisdom,  its  humanity,  its  courage,  its  justice,  favored 
by  divine  Providence,  will  make  it  equal  to  every  task 
and  the  master  of  every  emergency.  [Long-continued 
applause.] 

XLIX. 

REMARKS  ON  LEAVING  OMAHA,  NEBRASKA, 
OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

You  have  done  so  much  in  the  past  twenty-four  hours 
that  it  will  make  my  visit  here  one  long  to  be  remem 
bered.  Nothing  has  pleased  me  more  than  the  good 
feeling  and  earnest  patriotism  everywhere  exhibited. 
I  see  that  here  in  Nebraska,  as  in  every  other  State  in 
the  Union,  everybody  loves  the  government  and  the  flag, 
and  I  cannot  tell  you  how  hard  it  is  for  me  to  bid  you 
all  good-by.  [Great  applause.] 


L. 

SPEECH  AT  COUNCIL  BLUFFS,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

I  am  very  much  gratified  at  your  reception.     I  have 
just  come  from  the  great  city  of  the  West,  and  have 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  107 

witnessed  a  wonderful  exhibition  of  your  genius  and 
skill  and  industry,  as  shown  at  the  Trans-Mississippi 
Exposition.  Nothing  has  given  me  greater  satisfaction, 
as  I  have  journeyed  through  the  country,  than  to  look 
into  the  cheerful  faces  of  the  people,  and  to  be  assured 
from  their  appearance  that  despair  no  longer  hangs  over 
the  West,  but  that  you  are  having  a  fair  share  of  pros 
perity,  and  not  only  that,  but  you  are  having  a  baptism 
of  patriotism,  in  which  we  all  rejoice.  [Great  applause.] 


LI. 

SPEECH  AT  GLENWOOD,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

31  y  Felloiv-Citizens : 

I  am  very  glad  to  meet  you  and  greet  you  here  this 
morning.  I  need  not  say  that  I  like  the  flag  that  you 
carry.  Whenever  you  put  that  flag  in  the  hands  of  the 
boys  and  the  girls  you  put  patriotism  in  their  hearts. 
There  are  two  strong  and  marked  phases  in  the  war  with 
Spain.  The  one  is  its  heroism,  and  the  other  its  hu 
manity.  The  individual  valor  of  the  soldier  and  the 
sailor  has  never  been  surpassed.  Both  at  Manila  and 
Santiago,  with  Dewey's  fleet  and  Sampson's  squadron, 
there  were  distinguishing  exhibitions  of  personal  valor 
and  intrepidity  which  thrilled  all  our  hearts.  So  with 
the  land  forces  at  San  Juan  and  El  Caney  and  Manila ; 
so  with  the  marines  at  Guantanamo.  This  is  the  heroic 
side. 

The  other  is  the  humanitarian  side.  The  first  ship 
to  enter  the  harbor  of  Santiago  after  the  surrender  of 
the  Spanish  forces  and  army  to  General  Shafter  was  a 


108  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

ship  carrying  the  Red  Cross  flag  and  laden  with  food  and 
provisions  and  medicines  for  the  suffering  inhabitants  of 
that  land.  And  so  all  through  the  war  we  have  mingled 
with  our  heroism  our  splendid  and  glorious  humanity. 
There  was  no  malice  in  our  conflict,  there  was  no 
bitterness  or  resentment  connected  with  it,  and  when  it 
was  all  over  we  treated  our  foe  as  generously  as  we  could 
have  treated  a  friend.  All  this  must  be  inspiring  to  the 
American  people.  We  are  a  great  people.  We  love 
peace,  not  war  •  but  when  we  go  to  war  we  send  to  it  the 
best  and  bravest  of  the  country.  And  Iowa,  in  this  war, 
as  in  the  great  Civil  War,  contributed  her  share  of  pa 
triotic  boys  to  fight  the  battles  of  our  country.  [Great 
applause.] 

LIL 

SPEECH  AT  MALVERN,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

In  the  moment  that  I  shall  be  permitted  to  stop  with 
you  I  desire  to  thank  you  for  the  cordial  reception 
you  have  given  me  this  morning.  I  cannot  but  recall, 
as  I  journey  through  the  country,  the  difference  between 
conditions  now  and  those  of  thirty-seven  years  ago. 
Then  we  were  at  war  with  each  other,  one  section  of 
our  beloved  country  fighting  against  the  other ;  then  the 
contest  was  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  and  in 
that  conflict  we  happily  triumphed.  Thirty-seven  years 
later  we  are  engaged  in  another  war,  not  as  a  divided 
country,  but  as  a  united  country,  North  and  South  vy 
ing  with  each  other  in  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  the 
country  and  flag  j  and  united,  my  fellow-countrymen,  we 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  109 

are  invincible,  and  having  stood  together  against  a  for 
eign  foe,  we  must  stand  together  until  every  settlement 
of  that  war  shall  be  finally  embodied  in  a  public  treaty. 
[Great  applause.] 

LIII. 

REMARKS  AT  HASTINGS,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

Hy  Fellow-Citizens : 

It  has  given  me  great  pleasure,  as  I  have  journeyed 
through  your  State,  to  observe  evidences  both  of  pa 
triotism  and  of  prosperity.  We  have  pretty  much 
everything  in  this  country  to  make  it  happy.  We  have 
good  money,  we  have  ample  revenues,  we  have  unques 
tioned  national  credit ;  ,but  we  want  new  markets,  and 
as  trade  follows  the  flag,  it  looks  very  much  as  if  we 
were  going  to  have  new  markets.  [Applause.] 


LIV. 

SPEECH  AT  RED  OAK,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

What  nation  of  the  world  has  more  to  be  thankful  for 
than  ours  ?  We  have  material  wealth,  we  have  rich  and 
fertile  lands,  we  have  great  shops  and  great  factories 
that  make  everything.  We  have  skilled  workmen,  we 
have  genius  for  invention,  and  in  the  last  thirty  years 
we  have  achieved  commercial  triumphs  which  have  been 
the  wonder  of  the  world.  We  have  much  to  be  thank 
ful  for.  We  have  come  out  of  events  of  the  last  five 


110  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

months  glorious  in  our  victories,  and  more  glorious  in 
the  results  which  are  to  follow  them.  We  are  fortunate 
in  the  virtue  of  our  people  and  in  the  valor  of  our  sol 
diers  and  sailors. 

We  have  been  patriotic  in  every  crisis  of  our  history, 
and  never  more  so  than  from  April,  1898,  to  the  present 
hour.  But  our  patriotism  must  be  continued.  We 
must  not  permit  it  to  abate,  but  we  must  stand 
unitedly  until  every  settlement  of  the  recent  contest 
shall  be  written  in  enduring  form,  and  shall  record  a 
triumph  for  civilization  and  humanity.  [Great  applause.] 

I  am  glad  to  be  at  the  home  of  that  gallant  young 
hero  who  went  down  in  the  harbor  of  Havana,  Engineer 
Merritt.  I  am  glad  to  pay  a  fitting  tribute  to  him  and 
to  all  the  other  heroes  of  the  war.  His  name  and  his 
fame  will  be  sacredly  guarded  by  his  own  neighbors  and 
fellow-citizens,  and  will  always  be  held  in  remembrance 
by  a  grateful  people.  [Great  applause.] 


LY. 

SPEECH  AT  CORNING,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  meet  you  all  and 
be  greeted  by  you  as  I  pass  through  Iowa.  We  have 
been  seeing  something  in  the  last  forty-eight  hours  of 
the  vastness  and  the  wealth  of  this  mighty  empire  of 
the  West,  and  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  evidences  of 
prosperity  and  of  progress  that  have  been  constantly 
presented  to  me. 

Iowa  is  not  only  great  in  its  material  possessions,— 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  Ill 

in  its  farms  and  its  factories, — but  it  is  great  in  its 
influence  on  the  nation.  From  the  period  of  your 
admission  into  the  American  Union  as  a  State,  you 
have  had  marked  influence  on  national  legislation  and 
national  administration ;  and  I  know  of  no  State  in  the 
country  to-day  that  has  greater  influence  in  public  affairs, 
through  its  senators  and  its  representatives  in  Congress, 
than  this  great  State  of  Iowa.  [Great  applause.] 


LVI. 

SPEECH  AT  CRESTON,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

The  cheerful  faces  of  this  great  assemblage  give  me  as 
surance  of  what  I  have  already  known,  that  the  business 
and  industrial  and  agricultural  conditions  of  the  country 
are  those  of  confidence.  I  do  not  know  a  period  of  our 
history  when  the  country  enjoyed  more  real  and  sub 
stantial  prosperity  than  it  does  to-day.  The  job  hunts 
the  man,  not  the  man  the  job.  When  that  condition 
exists  labor  is  always  better  rewarded.  In  every  one  of 
the  great  industries  of  the  country  we  are  feeling  a 
degree  of  prosperity  which  gives  hope  and  confidence  to 
all  of  our  people.  Not  only  are  the  people  reasonably 
prosperous,  but  the  government  in  which  we  are  all 
interested  is  alike  prosperous.  Our  financial  condition 
was  never  better  than  it  is  now.  Our  national  credit 
was  never  so  high  as  it  is  now,  and  the  people  of  the 
United  States  were  well  enough  off— when  the  govern 
ment  wanted  two  hundred  millions  of  dollars  with  which 
to  conduct  the  war— to  subscribe  for  fourteen  hundred 


112  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

million  dollars'  worth  of  bonds  [loud  and  prolonged 
cheering],  and  a  bond  at  a  lower  rate  of  interest  than 
was  ever  sold  by  the  government  of  the  United  States 
before.  Our  revenues  are  not  troubling  us  any  more 
[laughter  and  applause],  and  our  enemy  is  not  troubling 
us  much  more  [laughter  and  loud  applause].  "We 
have  got  along  fairly  well  thus  far,  thanks  to  the  patriot 
ism  of  the  American  people,  and  thanks  to  the  valor  and 
the  courage  and  the  heroism  of  the  boys  of  Iowa  and  of 
the  other  States  of  the  American  Union. 

My  fellow-citizens,  I  want  to  leave  one  more  thought 
with  you,  and  that  is,  as  we  have  been  united  and  there 
fore  strong  and  invincible  in  the  war,  we  must  continue 
united  until  the  end  of  this  struggle ;  we  must  have  no 
differences  among  ourselves  while  we  are  settling  differ 
ences  with  another  government.  When  we  have  made 
that  settlement  in  the  interest  of  justice  and  civilization 
and  humanity,  then  we  can  resume  our  own  domestic  dif 
ferences. 

I  want  to  say  in  this  presence  and  before  this  as 
semblage  that,  in  all  the  trying  months  through  which 
we  have  just  passed,  the  President  of  the  United  States 
had  the  faithful  support  of  the  representatives  of  the 
people  of  Iowa  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 
[Great  applause.] 

LVIL 

REMARKS  AT  OSCEOLA,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

Hy  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  do  not  think  you  appreciate  how  much  good  your 
presence  in  such  vast  numbers  all  along  our  journey  has 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  113 

been  to  the  President  of  the  United  States.  If  he  can 
feel  that  he  has  the  support  and  the  confidence  of  his 
countrymen,  irrespective  of  party,  I  think  he  will  have 
courage  for  any  duty ;  for  whenever  a  great  problem  is 
presented  to  them,  the  people  are  sure  to  be  right  in 
their  ultimate  judgment.  I  thank  you  for  the  pleasure 
of  looking  into  your  faces  this  morning,  and  bid  you 
good  day.  [Applause.] 

LVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  CHARITOX,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

Until  my  visit  to  your  State  I  do  not  think  I  ever  ap 
preciated  fully  the  size  and  population  of  Iowa.  The  vast 
assemblages  that  have  everywhere  greeted  us  with  their 
good  will  have  been  both  touching  and  inspiring.  It  gives 
me  great  pleasure  to  see  the  men  and  the  women,  the  old 
and  the  young,  as  they  gather  under  the  flag  of  the  free 
to  renew  once  more  their  devotion  to  country  and  our 
free  institutions.  It  gives  me  especial  pleasure  to  meet 
with  the  school-children,  the  boys  and  the  girls,  those  who 
in  a  little  while  must  take  up  the  trust  now  in  the  hands 
of  the  older  of  us,  and  carry  forward  this  great  govern 
ment.  These  little  people  who  gather  about  us,  who 
are  in  the  public  schools,  are  to  be  educated  for  future 
citizenship ;  for  out  of  the  school-house,  in  all  of  our 
history,  have  come  the  statesmen,  the  business  men,  the 
soldiers,  and  the  farmers  that  have  done  so  much  for 
this  country. 

We  have  been  fortunate  as  a  nation  in  the  last  six 
months.  We  have  made  much  progress  in  a  very  short 


114  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

time.  "We  have  almost  lost  sight  of  the  fact,  in  talk 
ing  about  the  war,  that  we  have  made  some  very  sub 
stantial  gains  without  resort  to  arms.  We  have  Hawaii, 
that  came  to  us  free  and  independent,  and  asked  to  be 
annexed ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  the  teachers  in  the  public 
schools  have  already  revised  the  maps  so  as  to  include 
this  new  addition  to  the  United  States.  And,  my  fellow- 
citizens,  wherever  our  flag  floats,  wherever  we  raise  that 
standard  of  liberty,  it  is  always  for  the  sake  of  humanity 
and  the  advancement  of  civilization.  Territory  some 
times  comes  to  us  when  we  go  to  war  in  a  holy  cause, 
and  whenever  it  does  the  banner  of  liberty  will  float 
over  it  and  bring,  I  trust,  blessings  and  benefits  to  all 
the  people.  [Great  applause.] 


LIX. 

SPEECH  AT  OTTUMWA,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  'Fellow-Citizens : 

I  wish  I  had  the  voice  to  make  myself  heard  by  this 
great  assemblage  of  my  countrymen.  I  recall  with  the 
pleasantest  memory  a  visit  I  made  to  your  city  seven 
years  ago,  and  I  still  carry  in  recollection  the  warmth  of 
welcome  you  extended  to  me.  I  think  there  are  more 
people  here  to-day  than  were  present  at  the  meeting  to 
which  I  refer.  At  that  time  we  were  considering  a  great 
economic  question.  That  question  has,  happily,  been 
settled,  and  settled  on  the  side  of  the  people.  "We 
have  been  settling  a  great  many  things  in  the  past  few 
months.  We  have  been  settling  some  foreign  complica 
tions.  We  settled  the  question  as  to  whether  the  Ameri- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  115 

can  flag  shall  float  over  Hawaii  [great  applause],  and 
the  flag  is  floating  there  to-day,  in  aU  its  beauty  and  in 
all  its  glory,  over  a  happy  and  contented  people,  who 
wanted  to  be  annexed  to  the  United  States  because  they 
loved  our  institutions.  For  more  than  half  a  century 
we  had  in  Cuba  a  disturbing  question  lying  at  our  very 
door— ten  years  of  continuous  revolution  during  the 
administration  of  President  Grant,  followed  by  a  three 
years7  revolution  of  recent  date.  That,  too,  has  been 
settled  [applause],  and  that  which  disturbed  so  long  the 
peace  and  tranquillity  of  the  American  government,  and 
interfered  with  our  legitimate  trade,  has  now  been  ended. 
[Great  applause.] 

Now,  what  we  have  to  do  is  to  be  wise  about  the  fu 
ture.  We  have  been  united  up  to  this  hour ;  we  do  not 
want  to  be  divided  now.  And  we  want  the  best  wisdom 
of  the  whole  country,  the  best  statesmanship  of  the 
country,  and  the  best  public  sentiment  of  the  country 
to  help  determine  what  the  duty  of  the  American  na 
tion  is,  and  when  that  is  once  determined,  we  will  do  it 
without  fear  or  hesitation.  [Great  applause.] 


LX. 

SPEECH  AT  MONMOUTH,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  quite  despair  of  making  my  voice  heard  by  this  great 
audience,  but  whether  you  hear  mine  or  not,  I  have  heard 
yours  of  hearty  welcome,  and  thank  you. 

The  American  name  was  never  higher  than  it  is  now, 
and  American  citizenship  was  never  dearer  to  its  pos- 


116  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

sessor,  nor  fraught  with  graver  responsibilities.  The 
army  and  the  navy  from  Manila  to  Santiago  have  nobly 
performed  their  duty.  It  is  left  for  the  citizens  of  this 
country  to  do  theirs.  May  God  give  us  the  wisdom 
to  perform  our  part  with  fidelity,  not  only  to  our  own 
interests,  but  to  the  interests  of  those  who,  by  the  for 
tunes  of  war,  are  brought  within  the  radius  of  our  in 
fluence.  [Applause.] 

LXI. 

SPEECH  AT  GALESBURG,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  13,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  gives  me  uncommon  pleasure  to  meet  and  greet 
this  great  audience  of  patriotic  citizens  of  Galesburg. 
I  am  glad  to  meet  the  young  men  of  the  colleges  who 
are  here  to-night.  I  am  glad  to  greet  the  old  volun 
teers  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  new  volunteers  of  the 
Spanish  War,  and  not  the  least  of  my  pleasure  is  that  I 
have  been  permitted  to  meet  here  in  your  city  the  com 
mander  of  that  splendid  army  in  front  of  Santiago, 
Major-General  Shafter.  [Great  applause.]  I  hope  he 
has  told  the  story  of  heroism  at  San  Juan  hill  and  El 
Caney  [continued  applause],  and  other  points  of  thrill 
ing  interest  in  that  near-by  island  which,  through  the 
valor  of  his  soldiers  and  the  wisdom  of  the  commander, 
brought  to  his  country  such  a  magnificent  triumph. 
Somehow  there  is  always  a  man  raised  for  the  hour. 
When  the  Merrimac  was  to  be  sunk  there  was  a  brave 
lieutenant  of  the  navy  ready  to  sacrifice  his  life  in  the 
accomplishment  of  that  heroic  deed.  [Cheers.]  When 
the  war  came  on  there  were  two  hundred  thousand  volun- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  117 

teers  within  sixty  days  marching  under  the  banner  of 
freedom,  ready  to  go  anywhere,  ready  to  make  any  sacri 
fice  for  the  honor  of  the  country  and  for  humanity.  And 
in  every  emergency  to  which  this  country  has  ever  been 
subjected,  the  people  have  risen  to  the  highest  measure 
of  duty  and  of  opportunity. 

We  have  grave  responsibilities  yet  resting  upon  us. 
The  heroes  of  Manila  and  Santiago  and  Porto  Rico  have 
done  their  part  nobly  and  well.  It  remains  for  us  citi 
zens  of  the  United  States  to  do  our  part.  And  now, 
having  said  this  much,  I  give  way  that  you  may  have  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  and  hearing  members  of  the  Cabinet 
and  others  who  have  been  accompanying  me  on  this 
long  journey.  I  cannot  forbear  to  say  that  nothing  has 
so  impressed  and  inspired  me  as  the  noble,  patriotic  spirit 
of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  not  only  in  the  North, 
but  in  the  South.  [Applause.]  Never  was  a  people  so 
united  in  purpose,  in  heart,  in  sympathy,  and  in  love  as 
the  American  people  to-day.  One  thing  yet  is  left  for 
us  to  do,  and  that  is  to  remain  shoulder  to  shoulder 
until  there  shall  be  secured  in  the  treaty  of  peace  all 
the  fruits  of  this  great  war.  [Great  applause.] 


LXIL 

SPEECH  AT  THE  MERCHANTS'  EXCHANGE,  ST.  Louis, 
MISSOURI,  OCTOBER  14,  1898. 

ITr.  President,  Mr.  Mayor,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  thank  you  all  most  cordially  for  the  warm  welcome 
you  have  given  me  to  your  city,  and  I  congratulate  you 
upon  the  good  feeling  and  the  uplifting  spirit  every- 


118  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

where  found  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  our 
common  country.  Thank  God,  we  are  all  together  once 
more.  [Applause.]  We  have  one  flag  and  one  destiny, 
and  wherever  that  destiny  shall  lead  us  we  will  have 
hearts  strong  enough  to  meet  its  responsibilities.  [Ap 
plause.]  We  cannot  enjoy  the  glories  of  victory  without 
bearing  whatever  burdens  it  imposes,  feeling  assured 
they  will  carry  blessings  to  the  people. 

We  were  never  so  well  off  as  we  are  to-day.  Indus 
trial  despair  no  longer  hangs  over  us.  We  have  gone 
from  business  depression  to  business  prosperity.  We 
have  gone  from  labor  hunting  employment  to  employ 
ment  hunting  labor.  [Applause.]  A  most  blessed 
country  we  have;  and  resting  upon  all  of  us  is  the 
duty  of  maintaining  it  unimpaired,  while  carrying  for 
ward  the  great  trust  of  civilization  that  has  been  com 
mitted  [to  us.  We  must  gather  the  just  fruits  of  the 
victory.  We  must  pursue  duty  step  by  step.  We  must 
follow  the  light  as  God  has  given  us  to  see  the  light,  and 
he  has  singularly  guided  us,  not  only  from  the  begin 
ning  of  our  great  government,  but  down  through  every 
crisis  to  the  present  hour ;  and  I  am  sure  it  is  the  prayer 
of  every  American  that  he  shall  still  guide  and  direct 
us.  [Applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  119 


LXIII. 

SPEECH  IN  THE  COLISEUM.  ST.  Louis,  MISSOURI, 
OCTOBER  14,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

My  former  visits  to  St.  Louis  are  full  of  pleasant 
memories.  My  present  one  I  shall  never  forget.  It  has 
warmed  my  heart  and  given  me  encouragement  for 
greater  effort  to  administer  the  trust  which  I  hold  for 
my  country.  My  first  visit  was  in  1888,  and  then  again 
in  1892,  both  of  which  afforded  nie  an  opportunity  of 
becoming  acquainted  with  your  people,  and  of  observing 
the  substantial  character  of  your  enterprising  city.  I 
omitted  my  quadrennial  visit  in  1896  for  reasons  which 
were  obvious  to  you,  and  have  always  been  thankful 
that  my  absence  seemed  to  have  created  no  prejudice  in 
your  minds.  [Laughter  and  applause.] 

I  remember,  on  the  occasion  of  a  former  visit,  in  com 
pany  with  Governor  Francis  and  other  citizens,  to  have 
witnessed  the  assembled  pupils  of  the  schools  of  the  city 
at  your  great  fair.  It  was  an  inspiring  sight,  and  it 
has  never  been  effaced  from  recollection.  As  I  looked 
into  the  thousands  of  young  faces  of  the  boys  and  the 
girls,  preparing  themselves  for  citizenship,  I  had  my 
faith  confirmed  in  the  stability  of  our  institutions.  [Ap 
plause.]  I  saw  them  to-day  as  I  drove  about  your  city, 
with  the  flag  in  their  hands,  and  heard  their  voices 
ringing  with  the  song  we  love— 

My  country,  't  is  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  of  liberty. 


120  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

To  the  youth  of  the  country  trained  in  the  schools, 
which  happily  are  opened  to  all,  must  we  look  to  carry 
forward  the  fabric  of  government.  It  is  fortunate  for 
us  that  our  republic  appeals  to  the  best  and  noblest 
aspirations  of  its  citizens,  and  makes  all  things  possible 
to  the  worthy  and  industrious  youth. 

The  personal  interest  and  participation  of  our  citizen 
ship  in  the  conduct  of  the  government  make  its  condi 
tion  always  absorbing  and  interesting. 

It  must  be  a  matter  of  great  gratification  to  the  people 
of  the  United  States  to  know  that  the  national  credit 
was  never  better  than  now,  while  the  national  name  was 
never  dearer  to  us,  and  never  more  respected  by  others 
the  world  over.  For  the  first  time  in  the  country's 
history  the  government  has  sold  a  three-per-cent.  bond, 
every  dollar  of  which  was  taken  at  par.  This  bond  is  now 
at  a  premium  of  five  cents  on  the  dollar ;  and  the  profit 
has  gone  to  the  people.  [Applause.]  The  loan  was  a 
popular  one,  and  it  has  been  a  source  of  much  satis 
faction  that  the  people,  with  their  surplus  savings, 
were  able  to  buy  the  bonds.  It  is  an  interesting  fact 
that  while  we  offered  but  two  hundred  millions  of  bonds 
for  sale,  over  fourteen  hundred  millions  were  subscribed 
by  the  people  of  the  country,  and  by  the  terms  of  sale 
no  one  was  able  to  receive  bonds  in  excess  of  five 
thousand  dollars.  [Applause.] 

It  is  not  without  significance,  too,  that  the  govern 
ment  has  not  been  required,  since  1896,  to  borrow  any 
money  for  its  current  obligations  until  the  war  with 
Spain,  while  its  available  balance,  October  1,  1898,  was 
upward  of  three  hundred  and  seven  millions,  of  which 
sum  over  two  hundred  and  forty-three  millions  were  in 
gold.  Nothing  more  impressed  the  nations  of  the  world 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  121 

than  the  appropriation  of  a  large  national  defense  fund 
which  the  Treasury  was  able  to  pay  from  its  balance, 
without  resort  to  a  loan.  While  the  credit  and  finance 
of  the  government  have  improved,  the  business  condi 
tions  of  the  people  have  also  happily  improved.  We 
are  more  cheerful,  more  happy,  more  contented.  Both 
government  and  citizens  have  shared  in  the  general  pros 
perity.  The  circulation  of  the  country  on  the  1st  of  July, 
1898,  was  larger  than  it  had  ever  been  before  in  our  his 
tory.  It  is  not  so  large  to-day  as  then,  but  the  reason  for 
it  is  that  the  people  put  a  part  of  that  circulation  in  the 
Treasury  to  meet  the  government  bonds  which  they  hold 
in  their  hands. 

The  people  have  borne  the  additional  taxation  made 
necessary  by  the  war  with  the  same  degree  of  patriotism 
that  characterized  the  soldiers  who  enlisted  to  fight  the 
country's  battles.  [Applause.]  We  have  not  only  pros 
pered  in  every  material  sense,  but  we  have  established 
a  sentiment  of  good  feeling  and  a  spirit  of  brother 
hood  such  as  the  nation  has  not  enjoyed  since  the  ear 
lier  years  of  its  history.  My  countrymen,  not  since  the 
beginning  of  the  agitation  of  the  question  of  slavery  has 
there  been  such  a  common  bond  in  name  and  purpose, 
such  genuine  affection,  such  a  unity  of  the  sections, 
such  obliteration  of  party  and  geographical  divisions. 
National  pride  has  been  again  enthroned;  national 
patriotism  has  been  restored;  the  national  Union  ce 
mented  closer  and  stronger;  the  love  for  the  old  flag 
enshrined  in  all  hearts.  North  and  South  have  mingled 
their  best  blood  in  a  common  cause,  and  to-day  rejoice 
in  a  common  victory.  [Great  applause.]  Happily  for 
the  nation  to-day,  they  follow  the  same  glorious  banner, 
together  fighting  and  dying  under  its  sacred  folds  for 


122  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

American  honor  and  for  the  humanity  of  the  race. 
[Loud  and  prolonged  applause.] 

We  must  guard  this  restored  Union  with  zealous  and 
sacred  care,  and,  while  awaiting  the  settlements  of  the 
war  and  meeting  the  problems  which  will  follow,  we 
must  stand  as  Americans,  not  in  the  spirit  of  party,  and 
unite  in  a  common  effort  for  that  which  will  give  to  the 
nation  its  widest  influence  in  the  sphere  of  activity  and 
usefulness  to  which  the  war  has  assigned  it.  My  fellow- 
citizens,  let  nothing  distract  us ;  let  no  discordant  voice 
intrude  to  embarrass  us  in  the  solution  of  the  mighty 
problems  which  involve  such  vast  consequences  to  our 
selves  and  posterity.  Let  us  remember  that  God  bestows 
supreme  opportunity  upon  no  nation  which  is  not  ready 
to  respond  to  the  call  of  supreme  duty.  [Prolonged  ap 
plause.] 


LXIV. 

SPEECH  AT  TERRE  HAUTE,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fellow- Citizens : 

I  have  no  expectation  of  making  myself  heard  by  this 
vast  assemblage.  I  thank  you  for  this  warm  and  hearty 
reception  at  so  early  an  hour  of  the  morning.  It  gives 
me  peculiar  pleasure  to  meet  again  the  citizens  of  the 
city  of  Terre  Haute,  and  not  the  least  element  of  that 
pleasure  is  that  it  gives  me  an  opportunity  of  meeting 
my  old  friend,  your  neighbor,  the  veteran  statesman 
and  patriot,  Hon.  Richard  W.  Thompson.  I  do  not 
forget  that  this  was  the  home  of  that  other  distinguished 
Indianian,  whose  eloquence  moved  Senates  and  swayed 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  123 

great  audiences,  and  whose  friendship  I  enjoyed,  Hon. 
Daniel  W.  Voorhees. 

For  seven  days  we  have  been  traveling  through  the 
great  West,  and,  everywhere  we  have  gone,  great  assem 
blages  like  this  have  greeted  us.  I  do  not  misinterpret 
it.  I  know  what  it  means.  It  has  no  personal  signifi 
cance,  but  it  does  have  a  national  significance,  and  it 
means  that  all  the  people  of  all  the  sections  are 
once  more  united  under  one  flag,  united  in  purpose 
and  patriotism.  It  means,  my  fellow-citizens,  that  the 
people  of  the  United  States  want  the  victories  of  the 
army  and  of  the  navy  to  be  recognized  in  the  treaty  of 
peace.  It  means  that  they  want  those  of  us  who  are 
charged  with  the  administration  of  the  government  to 
see  to  it  that  the  war  was  not  in  vain,  and  that  the  just 
fruits  of  our  achievements  on  land  and  sea  shall  not  be 
lost.  [Great  applause.] 

LXV. 

SPEECH  AT  PARIS,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  am  glad  to  greet  the  citizens  of  Paris.  If  no  word 
was  spoken,  the  flag  you  carry  would  proclaim  your  faith 
in  our  common  country,  and  the  glowing  patriotism 
which  is  in  every  heart.  We  have  but  one  duty  to  per 
form,  and  that  is  to  stand  by  the  flag,  and  fortunatety 
for  us,  in  every  part  of  the  country,  in  every  section  of 
the  country,  all  the  people  are  standing  beneath  the 
folds  of  that  glorious  old  banner— united  under  it  in 
peace  and  fighting  under  it  in  war.  [Great  applause.] 


124  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

LXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  ARCOLA,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

We  are  a  most  fortunate  people.  We  not  only  have  a 
revival  of  patriotism  among  the  people,  but  we  have  a 
return  of  prosperity  to  the  country.  Our  business  con 
ditions  are  good  at  home,  and  our  trade  is  good  abroad. 
The  producer  has  more  and  better  consumers  than  he 
had  a  few  years  ago.  That  is  because  the  business  of 
the  country  has  been  restored.  The  factories  and  the 
shops  and  the  great  productive  enterprises  are  again  at 
work,  so  that  you  have  consumers  at  home  as  well  as 
abroad.  We  sold  last  year  to  Europe  more  than  we 
bought  of  Europe.  [Applause.]  We  sent  more  American 
products  to  the  Old  World,  produced  and  made  in  the 
United  States  by  our  own  labor,  than  we  ever  sent  out  of 
the  country  in  any  year  in  all  our  history  j  and  more  than 
three  fourths  of  our  exportation s  came  from  the  fields 
and  farms  of  the  United  States.  And  here,  in  your  city 
of  Arcola,  you  know  what  it  means  to  have  a  foreign 
market.  When  you  cannot  sell  your  broom-corn  in  our 
own  country,  you  are  glad  to  send  the  surplus  to  some 
other  country,  and  get  their  good  money  for  your  good 
broom-corn. 

My  fellow-citizens,  we  have  resting  upon  us  as  a 
people  grave  problems,  and  it  is  our  business  to  solve 
them  wisely,  and  the  people  can  help  to  do  so,  because 
whenever  they  consider  calmly  and  soberly  any  great 
question,  they  are  unerring  in  judgment.  Mr.  Lincoln 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  125 

followed  the  people,  and  following  them  he  made  no 
mistake.  We  have  had  great  glory  out  of  the  war,  and 
in  its  settlements  we  must  be  guided  only  by  the  de 
mands  of  right  and  conscience  and  duty.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  And  when  we  have  settled  the  problems  of  the 
war,  our  next  triumphs  must  be  those  of  commerce, 
not  by  arms,  but  by  our  superior  advantages,  and  by 
the  skill  and  genius  and  energy  of  our  people.  [Con 
tinued  applause.] 

I  thank  you  for  this  cordial  reception,  and  am  glad  to 
know  that  all  the  people  of  all  the  country  are  stand 
ing  together,  and  mean  to  be  united  so  long  as  vast 
problems  remain  unsolved.  [Prolonged  applause.] 


LXVII. 

SPEECH  AT  DECATUR,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  am  thankful  for  the  warm  greeting  accorded  by  this 
vast  concourse  of  my  countrymen.  The  central  thought 
in  every  American  mind  to-day  is  the  war  and  its  results. 
The  gratitude  of  every  American  heart  goes  out  to  our 
army  and  navy.  [Applause.]  What  a  magnificent  army 
was  mustered  in  less  than  sixty  days !  More  than  two 
hundred  thousand  soldiers  responded  to  the  call  of 
country,  coming  from  the  homes  of  our  fellow-citizens 
everywhere,  the  bravest  and  the  best,  willing  to  go  into 
foreign  territory  to  fight  for  the  honor  of  our  flag  and 
for  oppressed  humanity.  [Applause.]  There  was  no 
break  in  our  column.  There  was  no  division  in  any 
part  of  the  country.  North  and  South  and  East  and 


126  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

West  alike  cheerfully  responded;  and  then  what  vic 
tories  were  achieved  in  a  little  more  than  three  months ! 
[Applause.]  Our  troops  sailed  seven  thousand  miles 
away  to  Manila  and  won  a  signal  victory.  [Applause.] 
Our  troops  sailed  to  Cuba  and  achieved  a  glorious 
triumph.  [Applause.]  Our  fleets  in  Manila  Bay  and  San 
tiago  harbor  destroyed  two  Spanish  fleets  without  the 
loss  of  a  ship,  and  the  brilliancy  of  both  victories  is  not 
paralleled  in  the  annals  of  war.  [Great  applause.]  And 
all  in  a  little  over  one  hundred  days !  That  is  what  our 
army  and  navy  did.  Now  it  only  remains  for  the  citi 
zens  of  the  republic  to  be  as  wise  in  statesmanship  as 
our  soldiers  and  sailors  have  been  valorous  in  arms. 
[Prolonged  applause.] 

LXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  SPRINGFIELD,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

With  grateful  appreciation  I  acknowledge  the  gen 
erous  words  of  welcome  uttered  in  your  behalf  by  the 
governor  of  the  State  [Governor  Tanner]  and  by  your 
distinguished  senator  [Senator  Cullom].  I  am  glad  to 
meet  the  people  of  Illinois  at  their  State  capital.  I 
am  glad  to  be  at  the  home  of  the  martyred  President. 
His  name  is  an  inspiration,  and  a  holy  one,  to  all  lovers 
of  liberty  the  world  over.  He  saved  the  Union.  He 
liberated  a  race— a  race  which  he  once  said  ought  to  be 
free  because  there  might  come  a  time  when  these  black  men 
could  help  keep  the  jewel  of  liberty  within  the  family  of 
freedom.  If  any  vindication  of  that  act  or  of  that 
prophecy  were  needed,  it  was  found  when  these  brave 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  127 

black  men  ascended  the  hill  of  San  Juan  in  Cuba  and 
charged  the  enemy  at  El  Caney.  [Great  applause.] 
They  vindicated  their  own  title  to  liberty  on  that  field, 
and,  with  our  other  brave  soldiers,  gave  the  priceless 
gift  of  liberty  to  another  suffering  race.  My  fellow- 
citizens,  the  name  of  Lincoln  will  live  forever  in  immor 
tal  story.  His  fame,  his  work,  his  life,  are  not  only  an 
inspiration  to  every  American  boy  and  girl,  but  to  all 
mankind.  [Great  applause.]  And  what  an  encourage 
ment  his  life-work  has  been  to  all  of  his  successors  in 
the  presidential  office  !  If  any  one  of  them,  at  any  time, 
has  felt  that  his  burden  was  heavy,  he  had  but  to  reflect 
upon  the  greater  burdens  of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  make 
his  own  seem  light.  My  fellow-citizens,  I  congratulate 
you  that  your  great  State  furnished  him  to  the  country 
and  the  world.  You  guard  his  sacred  ashes  here,  but  the 
whole  country  guards  with  you  his  sacred  memory. 

I  congratulate  you  upon  the  condition  of  the  country. 
It  was  never  better  than  it  is  to-day.  Our  national 
finances  give  us  no  trouble.  We  have  all  necessary 
money  now  with  which  to  do  the  business  of  the  govern 
ment.  [Applause.]  And  the  government  is  secure  in 
its  finances,  thanks  to  the  people  for  having  accepted  the 
war  taxes  patriotically.  The  business  of  the  people  is 
better  than  it  has  been  for  years,  and  the  money  of  the 
country  has  suffered  no  dishonor,  while  the  credit  of 
the  government  was  never  higher,  and  the  national  name 
never  dearer  to  our  people  than  now,  and  never  more 
respected  throughout  the  world.  All  thanks  to  the 
army  and  navy ;  thanks  to  the  fleets  of  Dewey  and  Samp 
son,  and  the  armies  of  Miles  and  of  Shaf  ter  and  of  Mer- 
ritt.  [Great  applause.]  We  have  won  great  triumphs 
for  humanity.  We  went  to  war,  not  because  we  wanted 


128  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

to,  but  because  humanity  demanded  it.  And  having 
gone  to  war  for  humanity's  sake,  we  must  accept  no 
settlement  that  will  not  take  into  account  the  interests 
of  humanity.  [Continued  applause.] 

Now,  my  friends,  what  we  want  is  to  have  no  dispute 
or  differences  among  ourselves  to  interfere  with  our 
united  judgment  in  dealing  with  the  foreign  problems 
that  are  before  us.  As  we  stood  together  in  war,  let  us 
stand  together  until  its  settlements  are  made.  [Long- 
continued  applause.] 

LXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  CLINTON,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  was  told  that  this  was  a  city  of  only  five  thousand 
people.  I  am  prepared  now  to  disbelieve  it.  I  am 
gratified  to  meet  the  constituents  and  neighbors  and 
fellow-citizens  of  your  representative  in  Congress  [Rep 
resentative  "Warner]  at  his  home.  We  are  all  of  us  proud 
of  our  country,  proud  of  its  past,  of  its  commercial  and 
industrial  achievements.  What  wonderful  growth  and 
progress  we  have  made  !  The  State  of  Illinois  has  to-day 
a  population  greater  than  that  of  the  thirteen  original 
colonies.  We  have  grown  from  a  little  more  than  three 
millions  of  people  to  seventy-five  millions.  We  have  be 
come  the  greatest  agricultural  and  manufacturing  nation 
of  the  world.  We  have  been  making  progress  at  rapid 
strides  in  all  the  arts  of  peace.  We  have  a  nation  from 
whose  history  we  need  not  turn  away.  We  can  study  it 
with  pride  and  profit.  We  can  look  back  without  regret 
or  humiliation,  and  forward  with  hope  and  confidence. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  129 

The  past  of  our  country  is  glorious.  What  it  shall  be  in 
the  future  rests  with  you— rests  with  the  whole  people. 
Your  voice,  when  constitutionally  expressed,  is  com 
manding  and  conclusive.  It  is  the  mandate  of  law.  It 
is  the  law  to  Congress  and  to  the  Executive.  May  that 
voice  be  that  of  right  and  truth  and  justice  !  I  am  sure 
it  will  be  so,  and  if  it  is,  we  need  have  no  fear  for  the 
future  of  our  country.  [Great  applause.] 


LXX. 

SPEECH  AT  OILMAN,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

With  the  pleasantest  recollection  I  recall  my  former 
visit  at  this  place.  It  was  just  about  this  time  in  the 
year  and  this  time  of  the  evening  four  years  ago.  That 
period  is  very  short  in  the  life  of  a  nation,  yet  very 
much  has  happened  in  these  four  years.  I  hope  that 
that  which  has  happened  does  not  meet  with  your  dis 
approval.  We  have  settled  the  revenue  legislation.  We 
have  a  comfortable  balance  in  the  Treasury.  We 
have  an  unexcelled  public  credit.  We  have  put  the  flag 
over  Hawaii.  We  have  had,  too,  a  short  and  decisive 
war — brilliant  in  its  victories  both  on  land  and  on  sea ; 
and  we  have  added  new  names  to  the  nation's  roll  of 
honor.  It  is  our  business  to  dedicate  ourselves  to  the 
task  yet  unfinished.  The  army  and  the  navy  have  per 
formed  their  part.  May  we  be  able  as  well  and  honorably 
to  perform  ours,  and  may  we  bring  to  the  yet  unfinished 
task  the  best  conscience  and  the  best  intelligence  of  the 
country.  [Great  applause.] 


130  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

LXXI. 

SPEECH  AT  KANKAKEE,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  15,  1898. 

My  Fettoiv- Citizens  : 

This  is  not  my  first  visit  to  your  city.  On  the  former 
occasion,  just  about  four  years  ago,  I  was  presented 
to  a  great  assemblage  by  your  distinguished  repre 
sentative  in  Congress  [Representative  Cannon],  whom  I 
had  hoped  to  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  here  to-night. 
Illinois  has  a  great  history.  She  has  been  potential  in 
national  policies  and  in  national  councils  from  her  ad 
mission  into  the  Union  as  a  State.  In  war  or  in  peace 
she  has  been  conspicuous  always.  She  had  Grant  and 
Oglesby  and  Logan  and  Palmer  and  McClernand  in  the 
Civil  War ;  and  in  our  recent  war  the  boys  from  Illinois 
responded  cheerfully  to  the  call  of  country  to  go  any 
where  to  maintain  the  public  honor  and  give  freedom 
to  an  oppressed  people.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that 
this  State  was  the  center  of  public  thought  for  more 
than  a  decade.  Lincoln  and  Douglas  represented  the 
two  opposing  schools  of  politics.  Their  famous  debate 
was  an  education  for  the  young  men  and  the  old  men  of 
the  country,  and  had  as  much  to  do  with  shaping  and 
molding  public  opinion  as  any  other  event  I  can  now  re 
call.  And  yet,  when  the  nation  was  in  peril,  those  two 
great  leaders  opposing  each  other  came  together,  united 
for  the  Union  and  the  flag.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  131 


LXXIL 

SPEECH  AT  THE  AUDITORIUM,  CHICAGO, 
OCTOBER  18,  1898. 

Ny  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  have  been  deeply  moved  by  this  great  demonstra 
tion.  I  have  been  deeply  touched  by  the  words  of  pa 
triotism  that  have  been  so  eloquently  uttered  by  the  dis 
tinguished  men  in  your  presence.  It  is  gratifying  to  all 
of  us  to  know  that  this  has  never  ceased  to  be  a  war  of 
humanity.  The  last  ship  that  went  out  of  the  harbor 
of  Havana  before  the  war  began  was  an  American 
ship  that  had  taken  to  the  suffering  people  of  Cuba  the 
supplies  furnished  by  American  charity.  [Applause.] 
And  the  first  ship  to  sail  into  the  harbor  of  Santiago  was 
an  American  ship  bearing  food-supplies  to  the  suffer 
ing  Cubans.  [Applause.]  I  am  sure  it  is  the  universal 
prayer  of  American  citizens  that  justice  and  humanity 
and  civilization  shall  characterize  the  final  settlement 
of  peace,  as  they  have  distinguished  the  progress  of  the 
war.  [Applause.] 

My  countrymen,  the  currents  of  destiny  flow  through 
the  hearts  of  the  people.  Who  will  check  them  ?  Who 
will  divert  them?  Who  will  stop  them?  And  the 
movements  of  men,  planned  and  designed  by  the  Master 
of  men,  will  never  be  interrupted  by  the  American 
people.  [Great  applause.] 


132  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


LXXIII. 

REMARKS  TO  GATHERING  IN  FRONT  OP  UNION  LEAGUE 
CLUB;  CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  19,  1898. 

My  Felloiv- Citizens : 

I  have  heard  with  pride  and  satisfaction  the  cheers  of 
the  multitude  as  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  "War  on  both 
sides  of  the  contest  have  been  reviewed.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  I  have  witnessed  with  increasing  pride  this  wild 
acclaim  as  you  have  watched  the  volunteers  and  the  reg 
ulars  and  our  naval  reserves— the  guardians  of  the  peo 
ple  on  land  and  sea— pass  before  your  eyes.  The  demon 
stration  of  to-day  is  worth  everything— everything  to  our 
country,  for  I  read  in  the  faces  and  hearts  of  my  country 
men  the  purpose  to  see  to  it  that  this  government,  with 
its  free  institutions,  "  shall  not  perish  from  the  earth." 
[Great  applause.] 

I  wish  I  might  take  the  hand  of  every  patriotic  man, 
woman,  and  child  here  to-day.  [Applause.]  But  I  can 
not  do  that.  [A  voice :  "  But  you  ;ve  got  our  hearts." 
Prolonged  cheering.]  And  so  I  leave  with  you  not  only 
my  thanks,  but  the  thanks  of  this  great  nation,  for  your 
patriotism  and  devotion  to  the  flag.  [Great  cheering.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  133 


LXXIV. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  CITIZENS'  BANQUET  IN  THE  AUDITORIUM, 
CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  19,  1898. 

Mr.  Toastmaster,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  affords  me  gratification  to  meet  the  people  of  the 
city  of  Chicago,  and  to  participate  with  them  in  this 
patriotic  celebration.  Upon  the  suspension  of  hostilities 
of  a  foreign  war,  the  first  in  our  history  for  over  half  a 
century,  we  have  met  in  a  spirit  of  peace,  profoundly 
grateful  for  the  glorious  advancement  already  made, 
and  earnestly  wishing  in  the  final  termination  to  realize 
an  equally  glorious  fulfilment. 

With  no  feeling  of  exultation,  but  with  profound 
thankfulness,  we  contemplate  the  events  of  the  past  five 
months.  They  have  been  too  serious  to  admit  of  boast 
ing  or  vainglorification.  They  have  been  so  full  of  re 
sponsibilities,  immediate  and  prospective,  as  to  admonish 
the  soberest  judgment  and  counsel  the  most  conservative 
action.  This  is  not  the  time  to  fire  the  imagination,  but 
rather  to  discover  in  calm  reason  the  way  to  truth  and 
justice  and  right,  and,  when  discovered,  to  follow  it 
with  fidelity  and  courage,  without  fear,  hesitation,  or 
weakness. 

The  war  has  put  upon  the  nation  grave  responsibili 
ties.  Their  extent  was  not  anticipated,  and  could  not 
have  been  well  foreseen.  We  cannot  escape  the  obliga 
tions  of  victory.  We  cannot  avoid  the  serious  questions 
which  have  been  brought  home  to  us  by  the  achievements 
of  our  arms  on  land  and  sea.  We  are  bound  in  con- 


134  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

science  to  keep  and  perform  the  covenants  which  the 
war  has  sacredly  sealed  with  mankind.  Accepting  war 
for  humanity's  sake,  we  must  accept  all  obligations 
which  the  war  in  duty  and  honor  imposed  upon  us.  The 
splendid  victories  we  have  achieved  would  be  our  eternal 
shame  and  not  our  everlasting  glory  if  they  led  to  the 
weakening  of  our  original  lofty  purpose,  or  to  the  de 
sertion  of  the  immortal  principles  on  which  the  national 
government  was  founded,  and  in  accordance  with  whose 
ennobling  spirit  it  has  ever  since  been  faithfully  ad 
ministered. 

The  war  with  Spain  was  undertaken,  not  that  the 
United  States  should  increase  its  territory,  but  that 
oppression  at  our  very  doors  should  be  stopped.  This 
noble  sentiment  must  continue  to  animate  us,  and  we 
must  give  to  the  world  the  full  demonstration  of  the  sin 
cerity  of  our  purpose. 

Duty  determines  destiny.  Destiny  which  results  from 
duty  performed  may  bring  anxiety  and  perils,  but  never 
failure  and  dishonor.  Pursuing  duty  may  not  always 
lead  by  smooth  paths.  Another  course  may  look  easier 
and  more  attractive,  but  pursuing  duty  for  duty's  sake 
is  always  sure  and  safe  and  honorable. 

It  is  not  within  the  power  of  man  to  foretell  the  future 
and  to  solve  unerringly  its  mighty  problems.  Almighty 
God  has  his  plans  and  methods  for  human  progress,  and 
not  infrequently  they  are  shrouded  for  the  time  being  in 
impenetrable  mystery.  Looking  backward,  we  can  see 
how  the  hand  of  destiny  builded  for  us  and  assigned  us 
tasks  whose  full  meaning  was  not  apprehended  even  by 
the  wisest  statesmen  of  their  times.  Our  colonial  an 
cestors  did  not  enter  upon  their  war  originally  for  in 
dependence.  Abraham  Lincoln  did  not  start  out  to  free 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  135 

the  slaves,  but  to  save  the  Union.  The  war  with  Spain 
was  not  of  our  seeking,  and  some  of  its  consequences 
may  not  be  to  our  liking.  Our  vision  is  often  defective. 
Short-sightedness  is  a  common  malady,  but  the  closer 
we  get  to  things  or  they  get  to  us,  the  clearer  our  view 
and  the  less  obscure  our  duty.  Patriotism  must  be 
faithful  as  well  as  fervent ;  statesmanship  must  be  wise 
as  well  as  fearless— not  the  statesmanship  which  will 
command  the  applause  of  the  hour,  but  the  judgment  of 
posterity. 

The  progress  of  a  nation  can  alone  prevent  degenera 
tion.  There  must  be  new  life  and  purpose  or  there  will 
be  weakness  and  decay.  There  must  be  broadening  of 
thought  as  well  as  broadening  of  trade.  Territorial  ex 
pansion  is  not  alone  and  always  necessary  to  national 
advancement.  There  must  be  a  constant  movement 
toward  a  higher  and  nobler  civilization,  a  civilization 
that  shall  make  its  conquests  without  resort  to  war, 
and  achieve  its  greatest  victories  pursuing  the  arts  of 
peace.  In  our  present  situation,  duty  and  duty  alone 
should  prescribe  the  boundary  of  our  responsibilities 
and  the  scope  of  our  undertakings. 

The  final  determination  of  our  purposes  awaits  the 
action  of  the  eminent  men  who  are  charged  by  the  Ex 
ecutive  with  the  making  of  the  treaty  of  peace,  and  that 
of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  which,  by  our  Con 
stitution,  must  ratify  and  confirm  it.  We  all  hope  and 
pray  that  the  confirmation  of  peace  will  be  as  just  and 
humane  as  the  conduct  and  consummation  of  the  war. 
When  the  work  of  the  treaty-makers  is  done,  the  work  of 
the  lawmakers  will  begin.  The  one  will  settle  the 
extent  of  our  responsibilities,  the  other  must  provide 
the  legislation  to  meet  them.  The  army  and  navy  have 


136  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

nobly  and  heroically  performed  their  part.  May  God 
give  the  Executive  and  Congress  wisdom  to  perform 
theirs ! 


LXXY. 

SPEECH  AT  FIRST  REGBIENT  ARMORY,  CHICAGO,  BEFORE 
THE  ALLIED  ORGANIZATIONS  OF  RAILROAD  EMPLOYEES, 
OCTOBER  20,  1898. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

I  count  myself  most  fortunate  to  have  the  privilege 
of  meeting  with  the  allied  railroad  organizations  as 
sembled  in  this  great  metropolis.  I  have  had  in  the 
last  ten  days  very  many  most  interesting  and  pleasant 
experiences,  as  I  have  journeyed  through  the  country; 
but  I  assure  you  that  none  of  them  has  given  me  greater 
pleasure  than  to  meet  the  men  and  the  women  con 
nected  with  the  operation  of  the  great  railroads  of  the 
country.  It  is  fortunate,  too,  that  this  body  of  rep 
resentative  men  and  women  should  have  assembled  in 
this  city  at  a  time  when  the  people  are  celebrating  the 
suspension  of  hostilities,  and  their  desire  for  an  honor 
able  and  just  and  triumphant  peace.  The  railroad  men 
of  the  country  have  always  been  for  the  country;  the 
railroad  men  of  the  country  have  always  been  for  the 
flag  of  the  country ;  and  in  every  crisis  of  our  national 
history,  in  war  or  in  peace,  the  men  from  your  great 
organizations  have  been  loyal  and  faithful  to  every  duty 
and  obligation.  [Applause.] 

Yours  is  at  once  a  profession  of  great  risk  and  of 
great  responsibility.  I  know  of  no  occupation  in  the 
field  of  human  endeavor  that  carries  with  it  graver  obli- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  137 

gations  and  higher  responsibilities  than  that  of  the  men 
who  sit  about  me  to-day.  You  transport  the  commerce 
of  the  country ;  you  carry  its  rich  treasures  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  j  and  you  carry  daily  and  hourly 
the  freightage  of  humanity  that  trust  you,  trust  your 
integrity,  your  intelligence,  your  fidelity,  for  the  safety 
of  their  lives  and  of  their  loved  ones.  And  I  congratu 
late  the  country  that  in  this  system,  so  interwoven  with 
the  every-day  life  of  the  citizen  and  the  republic,  we 
have  men  of  such  splendid  character  and  ability  and 
intelligence. 

I  bring  to  you  to-day  not  only  my  good  will,  but  the 
good  will  and  respect  of  seventy-five  millions  of  Amer 
ican  citizens.  Your  work  is  ever  before  a  critical  public. 
You  go  in  and  out  every  day  before  your  countrymen, 
and  you  have  earned  from  them  deserved  and  unstinted 
praise  for  your  fidelity  to  the  great  interests  of  the  peo 
ple  whom  you  serve  and  of  the  roads  which  you  operate. 

The  virtue  of  the  people  lies  at  the  foundation  of  the 
republic.  The  power  of  the  republic  is  in  the  American 
fireside.  The  virtue  that  comes  out  from  the  holy  altar 
of  home  is  the  most  priceless  gift  this  nation  has ;  and 
when  the  judgments  of  the  people  are  spoken  through 
the  homes  of  the  people,  they  command  the  Congress  and 
the  Executive,  and  at  last  crystallize  into  public  law. 

I  thank  you,  my  fellow-citizens,  for  your  cordial  greet 
ing,  and  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  evidences  of  re 
turning  prosperity  everywhere  to  be  seen.  The  figures 
read  by  your  chairman  represent  the  growth  of  the 
great  railroad  system  of  the  country.  What  you  want, 
what  we  all  want,  is  business  prosperity.  When  you 
have  that  you  have  something  to  do.  When  you  have 
it  not  you  are  idle. 


138  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

There  are  few  "  empties  "  now  on  the  side-tracks,  and 
so  there  are  few  railroad  men  unemployed.  The  more 
you  use  the  freight-car  the  oftener  you  see  the  pay-car. 
[Applause.] 

I  am  glad  to  observe  the  First  Illinois  here  with  you 
to-day.  That  gallant  regiment,  made  up  of  the  volun 
teers  from  the  homes  of  Chicago,  took  their  lives  into 
their  hands  and  went  to  Santiago  to  fight  the  battles  of 
liberty  for  an  oppressed  people.  I  am  glad  to  have  this 
opportunity  to  greet  them,  to  congratulate  and  to  thank 
them  in  the  name  of  the  American  people.  [Great 
applause.] 

And  now,  having  said  this  much,  I  bid  you  know  that 
I  will  carry  from  this  place,  from  this  audience,  from 
these  warm-hearted  men  and  women,  one  of  the  pleas- 
antest  memories  of  my  long  trip  through  the  West. 
[Loud  and  prolonged  cheering.] 


LXXVI. 

REMARKS  TO  CHICAGO  COMMITTEE  ON  INTERNATIONAL 
ARBITRATION,  CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  20, 1898. 

Gentlemen : 

I  am  indeed  very  glad  to  meet  this  representative 
delegation,  and  give  you  the  assurance  that  the  subject 
of  your  memorial  shall  enlist  my  early  and  earnest  con 
sideration.  You  are  doubtless  aware  that  I  have  in 
formed  the  Czar  of  Russia  that  the  United  States  will 
be  represented  in  this  proposed  congress  of  peace.  I 
suppose  it  might  not  be  inappropriate,  when  we  form 
our  commission,  to  constitute  it  generously  from  you 
Chicago  gentlemen  who  are  so  thoroughly  interested 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  139 

in  the  issue  with  which  it  will  deal;  but  we  will  take 
this  up  later.  I  don't  want  to  take  any  of  you  by 
surprise. 

LXXVIL 

SPEECH  AT  LOGANSPOET,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

About  a  week  ago  I  entered  your  State  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  was  greeted  by  tens  of 
thousands  of  people  in  the  city  of  Terre  Haute.  An  hour 
earlier  in  the  day  I  meet  this  great  throng  of  my  fellow- 
countrymen.  But  since  Dewey  entered  Manila  Bay  on 
that  early  morning  in  May,  there  has  been  no  hour  too 
early  for  the  people  of  the  United  States  to  assemble  to 
rejoice  over  our  national  victories  and  to  manifest  their 
desire  for  an  honorable  and  triumphant  peace.  [Ap 
plause.]  The  flag  never  seemed  so  dear  to  us  as  it  does 
now,  and  it  never  floated  over  so  many  places  as  it  does 
now.  [Applause.]  As  I  have  journeyed  through  the  coun 
try  I  have  rejoiced  at  the  patriotism  of  the  people.  The 
flag  of  our  country  is  in  every  man's  hands  and  patriotism 
is  in  every  man's  heart.  [Applause.]  That  is  a  good 
omen  for  our  country.  Our  army  and  our  navy  have 
done  brilliant  service,  have  added  new  honors  to  the 
American  name,  have  given  a  new  meaning  to  American 
valor ;  and  it  only  remains  for  us,  the  people,  who  in  a 
country  like  ours  are  masterful  when  they  speak,  to  do 
the  rest,  and  to  embody  in  honorable  treaty  the  just 
fruitage  of  this  war.  [Great  applause.] 


140  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

LXXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  KOKOMO,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

For  your  warm  and  cordial  welcome  I  thank  you  most 
sincerely.  I  do  not  misinterpret  its  meaning.  It  means 
that  the  people  of  this  community  are  standing  together 
for  country  and  for  civilization.  The  war  has  made  us 
a  united  people.  We  present  a  spectacle  of  seventy-five 
millions  of  people,  representing  every  race  and  nation 
ality  and  section,  united  in  one  faith  and  under  one 
flag,  and  that  the  glorious  old  Stars  and  Stripes  we  love 
so  much.  And  we  must  continue  to  stand  together. 
So  long  as  we  have  any  differences  abroad  we  must 
have  none  at  home.  Whenever  we  get  through  with 
our  differences  with  another  nation,  then  it  will  be  time 
for  us  to  resume  our  old  disputes  at  home.  Until 
that  time  we  must  stand  for  a  common  purpose, 
until  the  settlements  of  the  war  shall  be  embodied  in 
the  permanent  form  of  a  public  treaty.  [Applause.] 
We  commenced  the  war,  not  for  gain  or  greed  or 
new  possessions.  We  commenced  it  for  freedom  and 
to  relieve  our  neighbors  of  oppression.  [Applause.] 
And,  having  accomplished  that,  we  must  assume  all 
the  responsibilities  that  justly  belong  to  that  war, 
whatever  they  may  be.  I  am  sure  that  the  people 
of  this  country,  without  regard  to  party,  setting  aside 
all  differences  and  distinctions,  will  remain  together 
until  we  shall  finally  settle  the  terms  of  peace.  [Great 
applause.]  I  recall  with  peculiar  satisfaction  this 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  141 

as  I  look  into  the  faces  of  my  countrymen 
from  Indiana,  the  promptness  with  which  your  people 
responded  to  the  call  of  the  President  after  the  declara 
tion  of  war.  [Loud  cheering.]  Within  twenty-four 
hours  from  the  receipt  of  that  call  your  quota  was  full 
and  in  camp,  and  fifty  thousand  young  men  were  ready 
to  enlist  under  the  banner  of  freedom.  [Loud  and  pro 
longed  cheers.]  I  thank  you  all,  in  the  name  of  the 
nation,  for  your  patriotic  devotion  to  the  country. 
[Great  applause.] 


LXXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  TIPTON,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

3Iy  Felloiv- Citizens  : 

I  am  both  pleased  and  honored  with  the  cordial  recep 
tion  given  to  me  by  the  people  of  Indiana.  I  congratu 
late  the  whole  country  upon  the  revival  of  the  national 
spirit,  and  also  upon  the  return  of  better  times.  I  have 
been  glad  to  note,  as  I  have  traveled  through  the  great 
West,  that  despair  no  longer  hangs  over  the  business 
interests  of  the  country,  but  that  all  the  people  look  out 
into  the  future  with  hope  and  with  confidence.  [Ap 
plause.]  We  have  had  such  a  revival  of  patriotism  in 
this  country  as  we  have  never  had  since  the  earliest  days 
of  our  history.  For  the  first  time  for  more  than  half  a 
century,  North  and  South  are  united  in  holy  alliance, 
with  one  aim,  with  one  purpose,  and  with  one  determina 
tion—to  stand  by  the  government  of  the  United  States. 
[Applause.]  That  is  what  the  war  has  done  for  the  people 
of  the  United  States.  What  it  has  done  for  other  peoples 


142  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

has  yet  to  be  determined.  But  as  I  look  into  your  earnest 
faces  I  know  that  you  would  have  this  nation  help  the 
oppressed  people  who  have  by  the  war  been  brought 
within  the  sphere  of  our  influence.  [Applause.]  Here 
in  this  great  gas  belt  I  am  reminded  of  what  nature 
has  done  for  your  great  manufactories.  I  congratulate 
you  again  upon  the  prospect  for  better  business  in  the 
United  States.  It  is  a  great  thing  for  the  farmer  to 
have  men  employed  in  shop  and  factory.  [Applause.] 
It  is  a  great  thing  for  men  to  be  employed ;  and  I  have 
discovered  that  when  the  employer  seeks  labor,  labor 
gets  better  pay  than  when  the  laborer  seeks  employ 
ment.  [Applause.]  And  now,  having  said  this  much, 
and  grateful  to  you  for  this  splendid  reception,  I  bid 
you  all  good  morning.  [Great  applause.] 


LXXX. 

SPEECH  AT  ATLANTA,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  gives  me  uncommon  pleasure  to  meet  my  country 
men  and  the  constituents  of  my  friend  and  your  friend, 
Representative  Landis.  This,  I  believe,  is  one  of  the 
towns  in  Indiana  where  they  make  tin-plate.  Am  I 
right?  [Cries  of  " Right!"]  I  heartily  congratulate 
you  upon  the  establishment  of  this  successful  industry 
in  the  United  States.  It  has  done  some  things  for  the 
country.  It  has  given  employment  to  many  working- 
men.  It  has  made  us,  from  the  greatest  consuming 
nation  of  tin-plate  in  the  world,  to  be  among  the  great 
est  of  the  nations  to  make  tin-plate.  I  congratulate 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  143 

you  not  only  upon  the  prosperous  condition  of  that 
branch  of  our  national  industries,  but  upon  the  better 
outlook  for  all  the  industries  of  the  United  States. 
[Applause.]  I  congratulate  you  further  upon  the 
patriotism  of  the  people.  And  I  thank  you  all  that 
when  the  call  of  the  country  came  you  responded  so 
cheerfully,  and  furnished  more  volunteers  than  the  gov 
ernment  of  the  United  States  could  accept  from  the 
State  of  Indiana.  [Applause.]  I  am  glad  to  see  these 
little  ones  about  us  this  morning  with  these  beautiful 
flags  in  their  hands.  It  means  that  there  is  patriotism 
in  their  hearts.  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  unifica 
tion  of  the  country.  We  are  stronger  and  have  a  more 
perfect  Union  now  than  we  ever  had  before.  And  I 
wish  you  all  prosperity  in  your  workshops  and  love  and 
contentment  in  your  homes.  [Great  applause.] 


LXXXI. 

SPEECH  AT  XOBLESVILLE,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

This  is  a  most  inspiring  spectacle.  Present  here  this 
morning  are  all  of  your  civic  bodies,  the  old  soldiers 
and  the  new  soldiers,  and  all  the  people.  Such  a  sight 
as  this  could  scarcely  be  witnessed  anywhere  else.  You 
are  here  because  you  are  interested  in  your  country. 
You  are  here  because  you  love  your  country.  You  are 
here  because  you  rejoice  in  the  victories  of  our  army 
and  our  navy.  And  you  are  here  because  you  rejoice 
in  the  suspension  of  hostilities,  the  return  of  many  of 
your  boys  to  their  homes,  and  the  hope  and  belief  that 


SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

you  will  soon  have  a  lasting  and  triumphant  peace, 
resting  in  justice,  righteousness,  and  humanity.  [Ap 
plause.]  Here  none  are  for  a  party,  but  all  are  for  the 
State.  Here  Democrats  and  Republicans  and  men  of 
all  parties  have  assembled  to  show  their  appreciation  of 
the  services  rendered  to  the  government  by  the  army 
and  the  navy  of  the  United  States.  [Applause.]  And 
no  nation  ever  had  a  more  splendid  army.  Two  hun 
dred  thousand  of  the  bravest  young  men,  within  thirty 
days  of  the  call  of  the  President,  responded,  ready  to 
march  anywhere,  at  home  or  abroad,  beneath  the  folds 
of  the  glorious  old  banner  of  the  free.  [Great  cheer 
ing.]  And  did  any  nation  in  the  world  ever  have  a 
better  navy  ?  [Cries  of  "  No  !  "]  It  was  small,  but  it 
was  masterful.  [Applause.] 

My  fellow-citizens,  rejoicing  as  we  do  over  the  vic 
tories  of  the  war,  let  us  be  careful  in  justice  and 
right  to  gather  the  triumphs  of  peace.  The  soldiers 
and  sailors  have  done  their  part.  The  citizens  must  now 
do  theirs.  And  I  pray  God  that  wisdom  may  be  given 
all  of  us  to  so  settle  this  vexed  and  vast  problem  as  to 
bring  honor  to  our  country,  justice  to  humanity,  and 
general  good  to  all.  [Great  applause.] 


LXXXII. 

SPEECH  AT  INDIANAPOLIS,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Felloiv-Citizens  : 

I  thank  you  for  the  words  of  welcome  spoken  in  your 
behalf  by  your  distinguished  senator  [Senator  Fair 
banks].  I  thank  you  for  this  cordial  and  hearty  greeting 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  145 

at  the  capital  city  of  your  great  State.  We  meet  in 
no  party  name.  We  meet  in  the  name  of  the  country, 
of  patriotism,  and  of  peace.  [Cheers.]  It  gives  me 
peculiar  pleasure  to  meet  the  people  of  the  home  resi 
dence  of  that  illustrious  statesman,  a  predecessor  in  the 
Presidential  office,  Benjamin  Harrison.  [Cheers.]  And 
I  do  not  forget  in  this  presence  that  this  was  the  home 
of  that  other  distinguished  Indianian,  Thomas  A.  Hen- 
dricks.  [Cheers.]  Both  names  are  remembered  by  all 
of  you,  and  both  have  been  distinguished  in  the  service 
of  their  country. 

My  fellow-citizens,  we  are  here  to-day  because  we  love 
the  old  flag.  [Cheers.]  It  never  went  down  in  de 
feat  ;  it  was  never  raised  in  dishonor.  [Cries  of  "Never !  " 
and  cheers.]  It  means  more  at  this  hour  than  it  ever 
meant  in  all  our  history.  It  floats  to-day  where  it  never 
floated  before.  [Cheers.]  Glorious  old  banner  — 

The  same  our  grandsires  lifted  up, 
The  same  our  fathers  bore. 

The  war  has  been  successful.  It  ended  in  a  little 
over  one  hundred  days.  Matchless  victories  on  land 
and  sea !  Our  army  and  our  navy  are  entitled  to  every 
honor  that  a  generous  nation  can  bestow.  [Cheers.] 
Peerless  army  and  navy  !  They  have  done  their  part ; 
the  rest  remains  with  us.  The  war  was  inaugurated 
for  humanity ;  its  settlements  must  not  overlook  human 
ity.  [Cheers.]  It  was  not  commenced  in  bitterness.  It 
was  not  commenced  in  malice.  It  was  commenced  in 
a  spirit  of  humanity,  of  freedom,  to  stop  oppression  in  a 
neighboring  island.  [Cheers.]  We  cannot  shirk  the 
obligations  of  the  victory  if  we  would,  and  we  would 

not  if  we  could.     [Cheers.] 
10 


146  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

LXXXIII. 

SPEECH  AT  RUSHVILLE,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

I  assure  you  of  my  appreciation  of  this  gracious  wel 
come  on  this  inclement  day.  We  have  very  much  to  be 
grateful  for  as  a  nation  and  a  people.  Providence  has 
been  very  kind  to  us.  We  have  been  through  a  war 
which  lasted  only  a  little  more  than  one  hundred  days, 
a  war  happily  not  on  our  own,  but  on  distant  shores. 
And  in  that  short  period  we  sent  our  boys— and  your 
contribution  was  among  them— seven  thousand  miles 
by  sea.  And  yet  in  that  short  period  we  have  achieved 
a  victory  which  will  be  memorable  in  history.  There 
has  been  nothing  like  it  recorded  in  military  annals. 

Now,  having  triumphed  in  war,  we  must  be  sure  that 
in  the  settlements  of  the  war  we  shall  see  that  justice 
and  righteousness  and  humanity  shall  prevail.  [Ap- 
plause.J  The  work  is  now  with  you;  for  in  a  govern 
ment  like  ours  the  people  constitute  the  power  of  the 
government.  It  rests  and  resides  with  you,  and  your 
will  is  the  command  to  Congress  and  to  the  Executive, 
and  is  at  last  formed  into  public  law  and  public  policy. 
[Applause.] 

I  am  glad  to  know  that  my  countrymen  are  thinking 
of  the  serious  problems  that  are  before  them  and  before 
us,  and  I  pray  God  we  may  have  the  wisdom  to  settle 
them  with  the  same  humanity  with  which  our  soldiers 
fought  our  great  battles.  [Cheers.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  147 

LXXXIV. 

SPEECH  AT  CONNERSVILLE,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

The  mercifulness  of  the  war  through  which  we  have 
passed  was  one  of  the  triumphs  of  American  civiliza 
tion.  There  was  more  humanity  in  it,  more  humane 
treatment  of  our  adversary,  than  had  probably  ever 
characterized  a  previous  war.  For  example,  we  sent 
medicines  to  the  sick  before  we  sent  our  men-of-war ; 
we  sent  succor  to  the  suffering  before  we  sent  our 
squadron ;  the  sweet  charity  of  the  American  people 
preceded  the  armored  cruisers  of  the  country.  And 
when  it  was  all  over,  the  victorious  commanders  said  to 
the  defeated  adversary,  "Take  your  side-arms" — not 
"your  side-arms  and  go  home,"  but,  "Take  your  side- 
arms  and  we  will  send  you  home."  [Applause.]  So 
that,  so  far  as  the  war  is  concerned,  we  not  only  dis 
played  great  heroism,  but  we  manifested  great  human 
ity;  and  I  trust  that  in  the  final  settlements  of  that 
conflict  humanity  will  triumph,  just  as  it  triumphed  in 
the  war.  [Great  applause.] 


148  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


LXXXV. 

REMARKS  AT  COLLEGE  CORNER,  INDIANA, 
OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellotv- Citizens  : 

If  I  had  ever  been  uncertain  about  the  size  of  Indi 
ana,  that  uncertainty  has  been  dispelled  to-day.  I  have 
been  speaking  since  seven  o'clock  this  morning  to  vast 
audiences  at  every  station  from  Logansport  to  your 
town.  And  now  the  time  has  come  when  I  must  say 
farewell  to  Indiana  and  give  hail  to  my  native  State. 
[Great  applause.] 

LXXXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  OXFORD,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

Old  Oxford  is  the  first  to  give  me  welcome  to  my  na 
tive  State.  I  am  glad  to  be  in  this  noted  college  town— 
a  town  that  educates  not  only  the  young  men,  but  the 
young  women  who  are  about  me  to-day.  And  I  recall 
that  your  university  has  furnished  to  the  public  service 
some  of  its  most  conspicuous  men,  and  others  who  are 
prominent  in  every  walk  and  profession  of  life.  I  am 
glad  to  know  that  in  Ohio,  as  in  all  the  States  where  I 
have  visited,  the  people  feel  delighted  that  the  war  is 
over,  and  that  triumph  has  been  given  once  more  to  the 
American  arms,  and  are  grateful  to  the  army  and  the 
navy  for  their  unprecedented  victory.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  149 

LXXXVII. 

SPEECH  AT  HAMILTON,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  recall  with  the  pleasantest  memories  my  former 
visits  to  your  city,  and  whatever  political  differences 
there  may  have  been  among  us  then,  you  have  always 
accorded  me  an  attentive  hearing  and  given  me  a 
cordial  welcome.  I  am  prepared,  therefore,  to  find  to-day 
that  your  hearts  are  just  as  warm  as  in  the  former  days. 

The  country  has  had  some  notable  events  occurring  in 
the  past  five  months — events  which  have  added  luster 
to  our  history,  and  given  a  new  and  added  meaning  to 
American  valor.  Your  city,  like  all  the  other  cities  of 
the  country,  contributed  its  full  share  of  the  army 
that  made  the  assaults  on  San  Juan  hill  and  Manila  [ap 
plause],  and  you  have  heroes  in  your  community  whom, 
I  am  sure,  you  are  glad  to  honor.  No  nation  ever  had  a 
more  superb  army  than  mustered  in  thirty  days,  under 
the  flag  of  the  Union,  to  fight  for  the  honor  of  the  coun 
try  and  for  the  oppressed  so  near  our  shores.  [Ap 
plause.]  Our  dear  old  flag,  if  possible,  is  still  more  dear 
and  sacred  to  us  to-day  than  it  has  ever  been  before.  It 
represents  more  than  it  ever  did  before.  It  floats 
where  it  never  floated  before.  [Great  applause.]  And 
I  trust,  my  fellow-countrymen,— for  I  will  not  detain 
you  longer,— I  trust  that  when  we  come  to  write  the 
final  conclusions  of  this  struggle  into  the  permanent 
form  of  treaty,  they  shall  be  based  on  justice  and  right 
and  humanity.  [Prolonged  cheering.] 


150  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

LXXXVIII. 

REMARKS  AT  WILMINGTON,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  cannot  conceal  the  pleasure  which  I  feel  that  you 
have  come  out  this  rainy  night  to  give  me  welcome.  I 
remember,  with  the  kindliest  recollections,  the  frequent 
visits  which  I  have  made  to  Wilmington  and  Clinton 
County  in  the  years  that  have  gone  by.  [Cheers.] 
There  is  something  very  close  and  tender  about  the 
relationship  of  citizens  of  the  same  State,  and  I  never 
shall  forget  that  years  ago,  and  for  long  years,  you 
committed  to  my  care  great  responsibilities,  and  gave 
to  me  unstinted  confidence.  [Prolonged  applause.] 

LXXXIX. 

REMARKS  AT  WASHINGTON  COURT-HOUSE,  OHIO, 
OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  has  been  a  great  while  since  I  addressed  the  people 
of  Washington  Court-House.  I  remember  many  times 
in  years  past  to  have  spoken  to  your  people  upon  public 
questions  upon  which  you  were  more  or  less  divided.  I 
am  glad  to  know  now  that  in  the  contest  through  which 
we  have  just  passed,  and  in  the  conclusions  which  are 
to  be  reached,  there  is  little  division  of  sentiment  among 
Americans.  Men  of  all  parties,  men  of  all  sections, 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  151 

have  shared  in  the  glories  of  the  war,  and  have  contrib 
uted  of  their  bravest  and  their  best  to  make  that  war 
successful.  And  now  that  hostilities  have  been  sus 
pended,  it  only  remains  for  the  people  to  see  to  it  that 
there  shall  be  written  in  the  treaty  of  peace  what  was 
justly  and  fairly  won  by  our  military  and  naval 
triumphs.  [Great  applause.] 


XC. 

SPEECH  AT  COLUMBUS,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

Mr.  Mayor,  my  Felloiv- Citizens  : 

It  is  not  in  the  unconsidered  language  of  compliment, 
but  with  deep  emotion  that  I  undertake  to  make  re 
sponse  to  the  generous  welcome  extended  on  behalf  of 
the  city  of  Columbus  by  your  honored  mayor.  It  seems 
to  me  like  coming  back  home.  [Great  applause.]  The 
familiar  faces  I  see  about  me,  the  familiar  songs  I  have 
heard,  all  make  me  feel  that  I  am  among  my  old  friends 
with  whom  for  four  years  I  lived.  [Applause.]  I  recall 
no  four  years  of  public  service  that  gave  me  more  plea 
sure  than  while  serving  this  State,  and  not  the  least  of 
that  pleasure  was  the  kindly  social  relations  I  had  with 
the  people  of  this  capital  city.  [Applause.] 

Very  much  has  happened  since  I  last  met  you  in  pub 
lic  assembly.  The  nation  has  been  at  war,  not  because 
it  wanted  war,  but  because  it  preferred  it  rather  than 
to  witness  at  its  very  door  the  sufferings  of  an  op 
pressed  people.  [Cheers.]  We  entered  upon  it  for  no 
other  purpose  but  that  of  humanity — no  desire  for  uew 
territory,  no  motive  of  aggrandizement,  but  that  we 


152  SPEECHES  AND  ADDEESSES 

might  stop  the  oppression  of  a  neighboring  people  whose 
cry  we  could  almost  hear.  Happily  for  us,  with  our 
splendid  army  and  our  no  less  splendid  navy,  the  war  was 
concluded  in  a  little  more  than  one  hundred  days. 
Nothing  like  it  in  the  military  annals  of  the  world ! 
We  sent  our  troops  seven  thousand  miles  by  sea  in  the 
east.  We  sent  them  to  the  south.  We  had  our  squadron 
in  Manila  and  our  fleet  in  Santiago,  which  destroyed  both 
Spanish  fleets.  [Cheers.]  All  honor  to  the  army  and  the 
navy  of  the  United  States  !  [Cheering.]  All  honor  to  the 
regulars  and  the  volunteers  [cheering],  and  to  the  marines 
[cheers],  black  and  white,  of  every  nationality  [cheers], 
who  marched  under  the  glorious  banner  of  the  free  to  a 
victory  for  God  and  civilization.  [Enthusiastic  cheering.] 
All  honor  to  our  sailors  and  seamen  !  [Cheers.]  We  had 
altogether  too  few  ships,  but  they  had  a  mighty  arma 
ment,  and  behind  them  were  men.  [Tremendous  cheer 
ing.]  They  have  done  their  work.  They  have  wrought 
well.  It  remains  for  us  now  to  finish  the  task  and  write 
in  public  treaty  the  agreements  of  peace.  [Applause.] 

Short  as  was  the  war,  many  of  our  brave  boys  went 
down  in  battle,  never  to  rise  again.  They  fell  under  the 
Stars  and  Stripes,  fighting  for  humanity.  Whether  in 
camp  or  in  field,  on  the  battle-line,  in  the  trenches,  or  on 
the  battle-ship,  they  gave  up  their  lives  for  their  coun 
try's  cause.  Nor  do  I  forget,  standing  in  this  presence, 
that  that  rugged  old  soldier,  Colonel  Poland  [applause], 
and  that  other  rugged  soldier,  Colonel  Haskell  [ap 
plause],  brave  commanders  of  the  gallant  Seventeenth 
Infantry  [applause],  have  passed  from  human  sight. 
They  gave  all  they  had,  the  best  that  any  man  has,— 
his  own  life,— on  the  altar  of  their  country.  The 
brave  boys  fell  at  Santiago,  making  the  charge  of  San 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  153 

Juan  hill ;  at  El  Caney,  at  Guantanamo,  and  at  Manila 
and  Porto  Rico 

They  fell  devoted  but  undying ; 
The  very  gale  their  names  seem'd  sighing ; 
The  waters  murmur'd  of  their  name ; 
The  woods  were  peopled  with  their  fame ; 
The  silent  pillar,  lone  and  grey, 
Claimed  kindred  with  their  sacred  clay ; 
Their  spirits  wrapt  the  dusky  mountain  ; 
Their  memory  sparkled  o'er  the  fountain ; 
The  meanest  rill,  the  mightiest  river, 
Roll'd  mingling  with  their  fame  forever. 

Nor  do  I  forget  the  promptness  with  which  the  brave 
boys  of  Ohio  responded  to  the  call  of  the  President. 
[Applause.]  Within  forty-eight  hours  Ohio's  quota  was 
full.  [Applause.]  You  will  be  glad  to  know  that  the 
Fourth  Ohio  [applause],  made  up  of  your  sons,  taken 
from  your  own  homes  and  your  own  firesides,  blood  of 
your  blood,  did  gallant  service  in  Porto  Rico,  and  in  the 
very  near  future  will  be  brought  back  to  reunited  homes. 

My  countrymen,  the  past  is  secure.  We  know  the 
extent  of  our  country  now.  Some  additions  have  been 
made  since  I  left  you.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  Our 
flag  floats  triumphantly  over  Porto  Rico.  [Applause.] 
Our  troops  are  in  unquestioned  possession  of  that  isl 
and.  The  same  flag  floats  over  Hawaii.  [Applause.] 
We  know  what  our  country  is  now  in  its  territory,  but 
we  do  not  know  what  it  may  be  in  the  near  future. 
[Applause.]  But  whatever  it  is,  whatever  obligation 
shall  justly  come  from  this  strife  for  humanity,  we  must 
take  up  and  perform,  and  as  free,  strong,  brave  people, 
accept  the  trust  which  civilization  puts  upon  us.  [En 
thusiastic  cheers  and  applause.] 


154  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

XCI. 
REMARKS  AT  NEWARK,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  21,  1898. 

'Fellow-Citizens : 

I  am  very  glad  to  meet  you  all.  I  used  to  come  here 
often  in  the  years  gone  by,  and  I  remember  with  the 
greatest  pleasure  and  satisfaction  the  warm  welcome 
you  always  extended  to  me.  [Applause.]  It  is  a  great 
compliment,  at  this  hour  of  the  night,  and  in  this  in 
clement  weather,  for  you  to  give  me  this  manifestation 
of  your  good  will.  I  wish  for  all  of  you  the  greatest 
prosperity  and  happiness.  [Great  applause.] 

XCII. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  UNION  LEAGUE  BANQUET, 
PHILADELPHIA,  OCTOBER  26,  1898. 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen : 

I  can  make  no  response  to  the  toast  just  offered  by 
your  chairman  so  grateful  to  my  own  heart  as  to  ask 
you  all  to  join  with  me  in  toasting  the  army  and  navy 
of  the  United  States  [applause],  and  the  government 
officers  assembled  about  this  table,  who  very  well  typify 
the  valor  and  sacrifices  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the 
republic.  They  bore  these  old  flags  in  triumphant  vic 
tory,  and  they  brought  them  back  to  us  with  added 
glory ;  and  without  their  service  and  sacrifice  we  could 
not  celebrate  the  brilliant  victories  of  the  war.  So  I 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  155 

ask  you  to  join  with  me  in  toasting  the  magnificent 
army  and  navy  of  the  United  States.     [Great  applause.] 


XCIII. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  BANQUET  OF  THE  CLOVER  CLUB, 
PHILADELPHIA,  OCTOBER  27,  1898. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  cannot  forego  making  acknowledgment  to  this  far- 
famed  club  for  the  permission  it  has  granted  me  to 
meet  with  you  here  to-night. 

It  has  been  most  gratifying  to  me  to  participate  with 
the  people  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia  in  this  great  pa 
triotic  celebration,  a  pageant  the  like  of  which  I  do  not 
believe  has  been  seen  since  the  close  of  the  great  Civil 
War,  when  the  armies  of  Grant  and  Sherman  and  Sheri 
dan,  and  the  navy  of  Dupont  and  Dahlgren  and  Porter 
gave  the  great  review  in  the  capital  city  of  the  nation. 
I  know  of  no  more  fitting  place  to  have  a  patriotic  cele 
bration  than  in  this  city,  which  witnessed  the  earliest 
consecration  of  liberty  to  the  republic. 

And  as  I  stood  on  the  reviewing  stand,  witnessing 
the  soldiers  and  sailors  passing  by,  my  heart  was  filled 
only  with  gratitude — gratitude  to  the  God  of  battles, 
who  has  so  favored  us,  and  gratitude  to  the  brave 
soldiers  and  sailors  who  have  won  such  signal  victories 
on  land  and  sea,  and  who  have  given  a  new  meaning  to 
American  valor. 

It  has  been  especially  gratifying  to  me  to  participate, 
not  only  with  the  people  of  Philadelphia,  but  with  the 
people  of  the  great  West,  where  I  have  recently  visited, 


156  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

in  doing  honor  to  the  American  army  and  the  American 
navy.  No  nobler  soldiers  or  sailors  ever  assembled 
under  a  flag.  [Great  applause.] 

You  had  with  you  to-day  the  heroes  of  Santiago  and 
Porto  Rico  and  Guantanamo.  We,  unfortunately,  had 
none  of  the  heroes  of  Manila  with  us,  and  I  am  sure  our 
hearts  go  out  to  them  to-night— to  brave  Dewey  [great 
applause],  and  to  Merritt  and  Otis  [great  applause],  and 
all  the  other  gallant  men  who  are  now  sustaining  the 
flag  in  that  distant  harbor  and  city.  [Great  applause.] 

Gentlemen,  the  American  people  are  always  ready  for 
any  emergency,  and  if  a  Merrimac  is  to  be  sunk  there  is 
always  some  one  found  to  do  it,  and  the  young  lieu 
tenant  succeeded  in  doing  what  our  foe  has  never  been 
able  to  do— sink  an  American  ship.  [Great  applause.] 

So  I  ask  you,  gentlemen  of  the  Clover  Club,  to  unite 
with  me  in  toasting  the  army  and  the  navy  of  the 
United  States,  without  whose  valor  and  sacrifice  we 
could  not  celebrate  the  victory  we  have  been  celebrat 
ing  to-day— not  only  the  men  at  the  front,  not  only  the 
men  who  are  on  the  battle-ship  and  the  battle-line,  but 
the  men  at  home  praying  to  go  to  fight  the  battles  for 
humanity  and  civilization.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  157 


XCIY. 

REMARKS  TO  FIRST  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA  REGIMENT, 
U.  S.  VOLUNTEERS,  AT  CONVENTION  HALL,  WASHING 
TON,  D.  C.,  NOVEMBER  17,  1898. 

Mr.  Commissioner  and   Soldiers   of  the  First  Regiment, 

District  of  Columbia : 

It  has  given  me  very  great  pleasure  to  join  with  your 
fellow-citizens  in  participating  in  the  exercises  which 
give  honor  to  this  regiment.  It  was  my  good  fortune 
to  look  into  your  faces  before  you  started  for  the  front ; 
it  was  my  good  fortune  to  look  into  your  faces  upon 
your  return.  When  you  started  I  was  filled  with  hope ; 
when  you  returned  I  had  a  feeling  of  full  realization 
that  you  had  quite  performed  the  high  expectations  I 
had  for  you.  All  mankind  admires  valor.  This  regi 
ment  did  its  whole  duty,  and  that  is  all  you  can  say  of 
any  soldier.  You  went  where  you  were  ordered— loy 
ally,  unmurmuringly.  You  did  every  duty  that  was 
assigned  you,  and  you  came  back  from  the  field  and  ex 
posure  with  new  honors  added  to  the  flag  you  carried 
from  the  city  of  Washington.  I  am  glad  it  is  possible 
to  muster  you  out  of  the  service,  and  yet  I  regret  very 
much  to  see  this  splendid  body  of  men  leave  the  service 
of  the  United  States.  But  I  fully  console  myself,  in 
standing  here  at  the  very  threshold  of  your  muster  out, 
with  the  feeling  that,  if  your  country  needed  you  to 
morrow,  every  man  would  be  ready  to  respond.  [Great 
applause.] 


158  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


xcv. 

SPEECH  BEFORE  THE  LEGISLATURE  IN  JOINT  ASSEMBLY 
AT  THE  STATE  CAPITOL,  ATLANTA,  GEORGIA,  DECEM 
BER  14,  1898. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen : 

It  is  with  more  than  common  pleasure  that  I  meet 
these  representatives  of  this  great  State.  I  am  more 
than  glad  to  be  with  you  here  at  this  time  and  share 
with  you  in  the  general  rejoicing  over  the  signing  of  the 
treaty  of  peace  between  the  United  States  and  Spain. 

Sectional  lines  no  longer  mar  the  map  of  the  United 
States.  [Great  applause.]  Sectional  feeling  no  longer 
holds  back  the  love  we  bear  each  other.  [Applause.] 
Fraternity  is  the  national  anthem,  sung  by  a  chorus  of 
forty-five  States  and  our  Territories  at  home  and  beyond 
the  seas.  [Applause.]  The  Union  is  once  more  the 
common  altar  of  our  love  and  loyalty,  our  devotion  and 
sacrifice.  The  old  flag  again  waves  over  us  in  peace, 
with  new  glories  which  your  sons  and  ours  have  this 
year  added  to  its  sacred  folds.  What  cause  we  have 
for  rejoicing,  saddened  only  by  the  fact  that  so  many  of 
our  brave  men  fell  on  the  field  or  sickened  and  died  from 
hardship  and  exposure,  and  others  returning  bring 
wounds  and  disease  from  which  they  will  long  suffer. 
The  memory  of  the  dead  will  be  a  precious  legacy,  and 
the  disabled  will  be  the  nation's  care.  [Applause.] 

A  nation  which  cares  for  its  disabled  soldiers  as  we 
have  always  done  will  never  lack  defenders.  The  na 
tional  cemeteries  for  those  who  fell  in  battle  are  proof 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  159 

that  the  dead  as  well  as  the  living  have  our  love.  What 
an  army  of  silent  sentinels  we  have,  and  with  what 
loving  care  their  graves  are  kept!  Every  soldier's 
grave  made  during  our  unfortunate  Civil  War  is  a  trib 
ute  to  American  valor.  [Applause.]  And  while,  when 
those  graves  were  made,  we  differed  widely  about  the 
future  of  this  government,  those  differences  were  long 
ago  settled  by  the  arbitrament  of  arms ;  and  the  time 
has  now  come,  in  the  evolution  of  sentiment  and  feeling 
under  the  providence  of  God,  when  in  the  spirit  of  fra 
ternity  we  should  share  with  you  in  the  care  of  the 
graves  of  the  Confederate  soldiers.  [Tremendous  ap 
plause  and  long-continued  cheering.] 

The  cordial  feeling  now  happily  existing  between  the 
North  and  South  prompts  this  gracious  act,  and  if  it 
needed  further  justification,  it  is  found  in  the  gallant 
loyalty  to  the  Union  and  the  flag  so  conspicuously 
shown  in  the  year  just  past  by  the  sons  and  grand 
sons  of  these  heroic  dead.  [Tremendous  applause.] 

What  a  glorious  future  awaits  us  if  unitedly,  wisely, 
and  bravely  we  face  the  new  problems  now  pressing 
upon  us,  determined  to  solve  them  for  right  and  hu 
manity  !  [Prolonged  applause  and  repeated  cheers.] 


XCVL 

SPEECH  AT  THE  AUDITORIUM,  ATLANTA,  GEORGIA, 
DECEMBER  15,  1898. 

Governor  Gaudier,  President  Hemphill,  Ladies  and  Gentle 
men  : 

I  cannot  withhold   from   this   people   my  profound 
thanks  for  their  hearty  reception  and  the  good  will 


160  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

which  they  have  shown  me  everywhere  and  in  every 
way  since  I  have  been  their  guest.  I  thank  them  for 
the  opportunity  which  this  occasion  gives  me  of  meeting 
them,  and  for  the  pleasure  it  affords  me  to  participate 
with  them  in  honoring  the  army  and  the  navy,  to  whose 
achievements  we  are  indebted  for  one  of  the  most  bril 
liant  chapters  of  American  history. 

Other  parts  of  the  country  have  had  their  public 
thanksgivings  and  jubilees  in  honor  of  the  historic 
events  of  the  past  year,  but  nowhere  has  there  been 
greater  rejoicing  than  among  the  people  here,  the  gath 
ered  representatives  of  the  South.  I  congratulate  them 
upon  their  accurate  observation  of  events,  which  en 
abled  them  to  fix  a  date  which  insured  them  the  privi 
lege  of  being  the  first  to  celebrate  the  signing  of  the 
treaty  of  peace  by  the  American  and  Spanish  commis 
sioners.  Under  hostile  fire  on  a  foreign  soil,  fighting 
in  a  common  cause,  the  memory  of  old  disagreements 
has  faded  into  history.  From  camp  and  campaign 
there  comes  the  magic  healing  which  has  closed  ancient 
wounds  and  effaced  their  scars.  For  this  result  every 
American  patriot  will  forever  rejoice.  It  is  no  small 
indemnity  for  the  cost  of  the  war. 

This  government  has  proved  itself  invincible  in  the 
recent  war,  and  out  of  it  has  come  a  nation  which  will 
remain  indivisible  forevermore.  [Applause.]  No  worthier 
contributions  have  been  made  in  patriotism  and  in  men 
than  by  the  people  of  these  Southern  States.  When  at 
last  the  opportunity  came  they  were  eager  to  meet  it,  and 
with  promptness  responded  to  the  call  of  country.  In 
trusted  with  the  able  leadership  of  men  dear  to  them,who 
had  marched  with  their  fathers  under  another  flag,  now 
fighting  under  the  old  flag  again,  they  have  gloriously 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  161 

helped  to  defend  its  spotless  folds,  and  added  new  luster 
to  its  shining  stars.  That  flag  has  been  planted  in  two 
hemispheres,  and  there  it  remains  the  symbol  of  liberty 
and  law,  of  peace  and  progress.  [Great  applanse.]  Who 
will  withdraw  from  the  people  over  whom  it  floats  its 
protecting  folds  ?  Who  will  haul  it  down  ?  Answer  me, 
ye  men  of  the  South,  who  is  there  in  Dixie  who  will 
haul  it  down?  [Tremendous  applause.] 

The  victory  we  celebrate  is  not  that  of  a  ruler,  a 
President,  or  a  Congress,  but  of  the  people.  [Applause.] 
The  army  whose  valor  we  admire,  and  the  navy  whose 
achievements  we  applaud,  were  not  assembled  by  draft 
or  conscription,  but  from  voluntary  enlistment.  The 
heroes  came  from  civil  as  well  as  military  life.  Trained 
and  untrained  soldiers  wrought  our  triumphs. 

The  peace  we  have  won  is  not  a  selfish  truce  of  arms, 
but  one  whose  conditions  presage  good  to  humanity. 
The  domains  secured  under  the  treaty  yet  to  be  acted 
upon  by  the  Senate  came  to  us  not  as  the  result  of  a 
crusade  or  conquest,  but  as  the  reward  of  temperate, 
faithful,  and  fearless  response  to  the  call  of  conscience, 
which  could  not  be  disregarded  by  a  liberty-loving  and 
Christian  people. 

We  have  so  borne  ourselves  in  the  conflict  and  in  our 
intercourse  with  the  powers  of  the  world  as  to  escape 
complaint  or  complication,  and  give  universal  confidence 
in  our  high  purpose  and  unselfish  sacrifices  for  strug 
gling  peoples.  The  task  is  not  fulfilled.  Indeed,  it  is 
only  just  begun.  The  most  serious  work  is  still  before 
us,  and  every  energy  of  heart  and  mind  must  be  bent, 
and  the  impulses  of  partizanship  subordinated,  to  its 
faithful  execution.  This  is  the  time  for  earnest,  not 

faint,  hearts. 
11 


162  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

"  New  occasions  teach  new  duties.'7  To  this  nation 
and  to  every  nation  there  come  formative  periods  in  its 
life  and  history.  New  conditions  can  be  met  only  by 
new  methods.  Meeting  these  conditions  hopefully,  and 
facing  them  bravely  and  wisely,  is  to  be  the  mightiest 
test  of  American  virtue  and  capacity.  Without  aban 
doning  past  limitations,  traditions,  and  principles,  by 
meeting  present  opportunities  and  obligations,  we 
shall  show  ourselves  worthy  of  the  great  trusts  which 
civilization  has  imposed  upon  us.  [Great  applause.] 

At  Bunker  Hill  liberty  was  at  stake ;  at  Gettysburg 
the  Union  was  the  issue;  before  Manila  and  Santiago 
our  armies  fought,  not  for  gain  or  revenge,  but  for  hu 
man  rights.  They  contended  for  the  freedom  of  the 
oppressed,  for  whose  welfare  the  United  States  has 
never  failed  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  establish  and  up 
hold,  and,  I  believe,  never  will.  The  glories  of  the  war 
cannot  be  dimmed,  but  the  result  will  be  incomplete 
and  unworthy  of  us  unless  supplemented  by  civil  vic 
tories,  harder  possibly  to  win,  but  in  their  way  no  less 
indispensable.  [Great  applause.] 

We  will  have  our  difficulties  and  our  embarrassments. 
They  follow  all  victories  and  accompany  all  great  re 
sponsibilities.  They  are  inseparable  from  every  great 
movement  or  reform.  But  American  capacity  has  tri 
umphed  over  all  in  the  past.  [Applause.]  Doubts  have 
in  the  end  vanished.  Apparent  dangers  have  been 
averted  or  avoided,  and  our  own  history  shows  that 
progress  has  come  so  naturally  and  steadily  on  the  heels 
of  new  and  grave  responsibilities  that,  as  we  look  back 
upon  the  acquisitions  of  territory  by  our  fathers,  we 
are  filled  with  wonder  that  any  doubt  could  have  ex 
isted  or  any  apprehension  could  have  been  felt  of  the 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  163 

wisdom  of  their  action  or  their  capacity  to  grapple  with 
the  then  untried  and  mighty  problems.  [Great  ap 
plause.] 

The  republic  is  to-day  larger,  stronger,  and  better 
prepared  than  ever  before  for  wise  and  profitable  devel 
opment  in  new  directions  and  along  new  lines.  Even 
if  the  minds  of  some  of  our  own  people  are  still  dis 
turbed  by  perplexing  and  anxious  doubts,  in  which  all 
of  us  have  shared  and  still  share,  the  genius  of  Ameri 
can  civilization  will,  I  believe,  be  found  both  original 
and  creative,  and  capable  of  subserving  all  the  great  in 
terests  which  shall  be  confided  to  our  keeping.  [Ap 
plause.] 

Forever  in  the  right,  following  the  best  impulses  and 
clinging  to  high  purposes,  using  properly  and  within 
right  limits  our  power  and  opportunities,  honorable  re 
ward  must  inevitably  follow.  The  outcome  cannot  be 
in  doubt.  We  could  have  avoided  all  the  difficulties 
that  lie  across  the  pathway  of  the  nation  if  a  few  months 
ago  we  had  coldly  ignored  the  piteous  appeals  of  the 
starving  and  oppressed  inhabitants  of  Cuba.  If  we 
had  blinded  ourselves  to  the  conditions  so  near  our 
shores,  and  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  our  suffering  neighbors, 
the  issue  of  territorial  expansion  in  the  Antilles  and  the 
East  Indies  would  not  have  been  raised. 

But  could  we  have  justified  such  a  course?  [Gen 
eral  cry  of  "  No  !  "]  Is  there  any  one  who  would  now 
declare  another  to  have  been  the  better  course  ?  [Cries 
of  "  No  ! '-]  With  less  humanity  and  less  courage  on  our 
part,  the  Spanish  flag,  instead  of  the  Stars  and  Stripes, 
would  still  be  floating  at  Cavite,  at  Ponce,  and  at  San 
tiago,  and  a  "  chance  in  the  race  of  life "  would  be 
wanting  to  millions  of  human  beings  who  to-day  call 


164  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

this  nation  noble,  and  who,  I  trust,  will  live  to  call  it 
blessed. 

Thus  far  we  have  done  our  supreme  duty.  Shall  we 
now,  when  the  victory  won  in  war  is  written  in  the 
treaty  of  peace,  and  the  civilized  world  applauds  and 
waits  in  expectation,  turn  timidly  away  from  the  duties 
imposed  upon  the  country  by  its  own  great  deeds  ?  And 
when  the  mists  fade  away  and  we  see  with  clear  vision, 
may  we  not  go  forth  rejoicing  in  a  strength  which  has 
been  employed  solely  for  humanity  and  always  tem 
pered  with  justice  and  mercy,  confident  of  our  ability  to 
meet  the  exigencies  which  await  us,  because  confident 
that  our  course  is  one  of  duty  and  our  cause  that  of 
right?  [Prolonged  applause.] 

XCVIL 

SPEECH  AT  THE  BANQUET  AT  ATLANTA,  GEORGIA, 
DECEMBER  15,  1898. 

Mr.  Toastmaster,  Gentlemen: 

I  am  not  a  stranger  to  your  hospitality.  You  have 
always  given  me  a  courteous  and  cordial  reception.  My 
first  visit  was  under  the  auspices  of  your  fellow-citizen, 
Captain  Howell,  and  another  distinguished  Georgian, 
the  brilliant  Grady,  since  called  from  the  field  of  activ 
ity  where  he  was  at  the  height  of  his  usefulness,  and 
where  the  whole  nation  could  illy  spare  him,  and  sor 
rowed  at  his  untimely  death.  Then  we  were  engaged 
in  an  economic  discussion,  in  which  honest  differences  of 
opinion  prevailed  and  heated  discussion  ruled  the  hour. 
I  do  not  forget  that  then,  although  advocating  the 
theory  of  taxation  seemingly  opposed  to  the  majority 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  165 

sentiment  of  your  State  and  city,  you  accorded  me  an 
impartial  hearing.  Stranger  that  I  was  to  all  of  you, 
you  made  me  feel  at  home,  and  from  that  hour  Atlanta 
won  my  heart.  [Applause.]  My  subsequent  visits  have 
only  served  to  increase  my  admiration  for  your  enter 
prising  city. 

Four  years  have  gone  since  I  last  met  the  people  of 
Georgia  in  public  assembly.  Much  has  happened  in  the 
intervening  time.  The  nation  has  been  at  war,  not  within 
its  own  shores,  but  with  a  foreign  power — a  war  waged, 
not  for  revenge  or  aggrandizement,  but  for  our  op 
pressed  neighbors,  for  their  freedom  and  amelioration. 
[Applause.] 

It  was  short  but  decisive.  It  recorded  a  succession 
of  significant  victories  on  land  and  sea.  It  gave  new 
honors  to  American  arms.  It  has  brought  new  prob 
lems  to  the  republic,  whose  solution  will  tax  the  genius 
of  our  people.  United  we  will  meet  and  solve  them 
with  honor  to  ourselves  and  to  the  lasting  benefit  of  all 
concerned.  [Great  applause.]  The  war  brought  us  to 
gether  ;  its  settlement  will  keep  us  together.  [Continued 
applause.] 

Reunited !  Glorious  realization !  It  expresses  the 
thought  of  my  mind  and  the  long-deferred  consumma 
tion  of  my  heart's  desire  as  I  stand  in  this  presence.  It 
interprets  the  hearty  demonstration  here  witnessed,  and 
is  the  patriotic  refrain  of  all  sections  and  of  all  lovers 
of  the  republic.  [Applause.] 

Reunited— one  country  again  and  one  country  for 
ever  !  Proclaim  it  from  the  press  and  pulpit ;  teach  it 
in  the  schools  j  write  it  across  the  skies  !  The  world 
sees  and  feels  it  j  it  cheers  every  heart  North  and  South, 
and  brightens  the  life  of  every  American  home.  Let 


166  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

nothing  ever  strain  it  again !  At  peace  with  all  the 
world  and  with  one  another,  what  can  stand  in  the  path 
way  of  our  progress  and  prosperity  ?  [Long-continued 
applause.] 

XCVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  TUSKEGEE  NORMAL  AND  INDUSTRIAL  INSTI 
TUTE,  TUSKEGEE,  ALABAMA,  DECEMBER  16,  1898. 

Teachers  and  Pupils  of  Tuskegee  : 

To  meet  you  under  such  pleasant  auspices  and  have 
the  opportunity  of  a  personal  observation  of  your  work 
is  indeed  most  gratifying.  The  Tuskegee  Normal  and 
Industrial  Institute  is  ideal  in  conception,  and  has  al 
ready  a  large  and  growing  reputation  in  the  country, 
and  is  not  unknown  abroad.  I  congratulate  all  who  are 
associated  in  this  undertaking  for  the  good  work  which 
it  is  doing  in  the  education  of  its  students  to  lead  lives 
of  honor  and  usefulness,  thus  exalting  the  race  for 
which  it  was  established. 

Nowhere,  I  think,  could  a  more  delightful  location 
have  been  chosen  for  this  unique  educational  experi 
ment,  which  has  attracted  the  attention  and  won  the 
support  even  of  conservative  philanthropists  in  all  sec 
tions  of  the  country. 

To  speak  of  Tuskegee  without  paying  special  tribute 
to  Booker  T.  Washington's  genius  and  perseverance 
would  be  impossible.  The  inception  of  this  noble  enter 
prise  was  his,  and  he  deserves  high  credit  for  it.  His 
was  the  enthusiasm  and  enterprise  which  made  its 
steady  progress  possible,  and  established  in  the  institu 
tion  its  present  high  standard  of  accomplishment.  He 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  167 

has  won  a  worthy  reputation  as  one  of  the  great 
leaders  of  his  race,  widely  known  and  much  respected 
at  home  and  abroad  as  an  accomplished  educator,  a 
great  orator,  and  a  true  philanthropist. 

What  steady  and  gratifying  advances  have  been  made 
here  during  the  past  fifteen  years,  a  personal  inspection 
of  the  material  equipment  strikingly  proves.  The  pat 
ronage  and  resources  have  been  largely  increased,  until 
even  the  legislative  department  of  the  State  of  Alabama, 
and  finally  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  recognized 
the  worth  of  the  work  and  the  great  opportunities 
here  afforded.  From  one  small  frame  house  the  Insti 
tute  has  grown  until  it  includes  the  fine  group  of  dormi 
tories,  recitation-rooms,  lecture-halls,  and  workshops 
which  have  so  surprised  and  delighted  us  to-day.  A 
thousand  students,  I  am  told,  are  here  cared  for  by 
nearly  a  hundred  teachers,  all  together  forming,  with 
the  preparatory  department,  a  symmetrical  scholastic 
community  which  has  been  well  called  a  model  for  the 
industrial  colored  schools  of  the  South.  Certain  it  is 
that  a  pupil  bent  on  fitting  himself  or  herself  for  me 
chanical  work  can  here  have  the  widest  choice  of  useful 
and  domestic  occupations. 

One  thing  I  like  about  this  institution  is  that  its  policy 
has  been  generous  and  progressive ;  it  is  not  so  self- 
centered  or  interested  in  its  own  pursuits  and  ambitions 
as  to  ignore  what  is  going  on  in  the  rest  of  the  country, 
or  make  it  difficult  for  outsiders  to  share  the  local  ad 
vantages.  I  allude  especially  to  the  spirit  in  which  the 
annual  conferences  have  been  here  held  by  leading  col 
ored  citizens  and  educators,  with  the  intention  of  im 
proving  the  condition  of  their  less  fortunate  brothers 
and  sisters.  Here,  we  can  see,  is  an  immense  field,  and 


168  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

one  which  cannot  too  soon  or  too  carefully  be  utilized. 
The  conferences  have  grown  in  popularity,  and  are  well 
calculated  not  only  to  encourage  colored  men  and  col 
ored  women  in  their  individual  efforts,  but  to  cultivate 
and  promote  an  amicable  relationship  between  the  two 
races— a  problem  whose  solution  was  never  more  needed 
than  at  the  present  time.  Patience,  moderation,  self- 
control,  knowledge,  character  will  surely  win  you  vic 
tories  and  realize  the  best  aspirations  of  your  people. 
An  evidence  of  the  soundness  of  the  purposes  of  this 
institution  is  that  those  in  charge  of  its  management 
evidently  do  not  believe  in  attempting  the  unattainable, 
and  their  instruction  in  self-reliance  and  practical  in 
dustry  is  most  valuable. 

In  common  with  the  Hampton  Institute  in  Virginia, 
the  Tuskegee  Institute  has  been,  and  is  to-day,  of  in 
estimable  value  in  sowing  the  seeds  of  good  citizenship. 
Institutions  of  their  standing  and  worthy  patron'age 
form  a  steadier  and  more  powerful  agency  for  the  good 
of  all  concerned  than  any  other  yet  proposed  or  sug 
gested.  The  practical  is  here  associated  with  the  aca 
demic,  encouraging  both  learning  and  industry.  Here 
you  learn  to  master  yourselves,  find  the  best  adaptation 
of  your  faculties,  with  advantages  for  advanced  learning 
to  meet  the  high  duties  of  life. 

No  country,  epoch,  or  race  has  a  monopoly  upon 
knowledge.  Some  have  easier,  but  not  necessarily  bet 
ter,  opportunities  for  self-development.  What  a  few 
can  obtain  free,  most  have  to  pay  for,  perhaps  by  hard 
physical  labor,  mental  struggle,  and  self-denial.  But  in 
this  great  country  all  can  have  the  opportunity  for  bet 
tering  themselves,  provided  they  exercise  intelligence 
and  perseverance,  and  their  motives  and  conduct  are 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  169 

worthy.  Nowhere  are  such  facilities  for  universal  edu 
cation  found  as  in  the  United  States.  They  are  accessi 
ble  to  every  boy  and  girl,  white  or  black. 

Integrity  and  industry  are  the  best  possessions  which 
any  man  can  have,  and  every  man  can  have  them.  No 
body  can  give  them  to  him  or  take  them  from  him.  He 
cannot  acquire  them  by  inheritance ;  he  cannot  buy 
them  or  beg  them  or  borrow  them.  They  belong  to  the 
individual  and  are  his  unquestioned  property.  He 
alone  can  part  with  them.  They  are  a  good  thing  to 
have  and  keep.  They  make  happy  homes ;  they  achieve 
success  in  every  walk  of  life  ;  they  have  won  the  greatest 
triumphs  for  mankind.  No  man  who  has  them  ever 
gets  into  the  police  court  or  before  the  grand  jury  or  in 
the  workhouse  or  the  chain-gang.  They  give  one  moral 
and  material  power.  They  will  bring  you  a  comfortable 
living,  make  you  respect  yourself,  and  command  the  re 
spect  of  your  fellows.  They  are  indispensable  to  suc 
cess.  They  are  invincible.  The  merchant  requires  the 
clerk  whom  he  employs  to  have  them.  The  railroad 
corporation  inquires  whether  the  man  seeking  employ 
ment  possesses  them.  Every  avenue  of  human  endea 
vor  welcomes  them.  They  are  the  only  keys  to  open 
with  certainty  the  door  of  opportunity  to  struggling 
manhood.  Employment  waits  on  them;  capital  re 
quires  them ;  citizenship  is  not  good  without  them.  If 
you  do  not  already  have  them,  get  them. 

To  the  pupils  here  assembled  I  extend  my  especial 
congratulations  that  the  facilities  for  advancement 
afforded  to  them  are  so  numerous  and  so  inviting. 
Those  who  are  here  for  the  time  being  have  the  reputa 
tion  of  the  institution  in  charge,  and  should  therefore 
be  all  the  more  careful  to  guard  it  worthily.  Others 


170  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

who  have  gone  before  you  have  made  great  sacrifices  to 
reach  the  present  results.  What  you  do  will  affect  not 
only  those  who  come  after  you  here,  but  many  men  and 
women  whom  you  may  never  meet.  The  results  of  your 
training  and  work  here  will  eventually  be  felt,  either  di 
rectly  or  indirectly,  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  country. 
Most  of  you  are  young,  and  youth  is  the  time  best 
fitted  for  development  both  of  the  body  and  of  the 
mind.  Whatever  you  do,  do  with  all  your  might,  with 
will  and  purpose,  not  of  the  selfish  kind,  but  looking  to 
benefit  your  race  and  your  country.  In  comparing  the 
past  with  the  present,  you  should  be  especially  grateful 
that  it  has  been  your  good  fortune  to  come  within  the 
influences  of  such  an  institution  as  that  of  Tuskegee, 
and  that  you  are  under  the  guidance  of  such  a  strong 
leader.  I  thank  him  most  cordially  for  the  pleasure  of 
visiting  this  institution,  and  I  bring  to  all  here  associ 
ated  my  good  will  and  the  best  wishes  of  your  country 
men,  wishing  you  the  realization  of  success  in  whatever 
undertakings  may  hereafter  engage  you. 


XCIX. 

SPEECH  TO  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  AND  CITIZENS  IN 
THE  STATE  CAPITOL,  MONTGOMERY,  ALABAMA,  DE 
CEMBER  16,  1898. 

Mr.  President,  Gentlemen  of  the  General  Assembly,  Fellow- 
Citizens  : 

The  warm  heart-welcome  which  has  been  given  to  me 
by  the  citizens  of  Alabama  has  deeply  touched  me,  and 
I  cannot  find  language  to  express  my  gratitude  and  ap- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  171 

preciation.  To  be  welcomed  here  in  the  city  of  Mont 
gomery,  the  first  capital  of  the  Confederate  States, 
warmly  and  enthusiastically  welcomed  as  the  President 
of  a  common  country,  has  filled  and  thrilled  me  with 
emotion.  Once  the  capital  of  the  Confederacy,  now  the 
capital  of  a  great  State,  one  of  the  indestructible  States 
of  an  indestructible  Union  ! 

The  governor  says  he  has  nothing  to  take  back.  We 
have  nothing  to  take  back  for  having  kept  you  in  the 
Union.  We  are  glad  you  did  not  go  out,  and  you  are 
glad  you  stayed  in.  [Tremendous  applause.] 

Alabama,  like  all  the  States  of  the  Union,  North  and 
South,  has  been  loyal  to  the  flag  and  steadfastly  devoted 
to  the  American  name  and  to  American  honor.  There 
never  has  been  in  the  history  of  the  United  States  such 
a  demonstration  of  patriotism,  from  one  end  of  this 
country  to  the  other,  as  in  the  year  just  passing;  and 
never  has  American  valor  been  more  brilliantly  illus 
trated  in  the  battle-line  on  shore  and  on  the  battle-ship 
at  sea  than  by  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  United 
States.  Everybody  is  talking  of  Hobson,  and  justly  so ; 
but  I  want  to  thank  Mother  Hobson  in  this  presence. 
Everybody  is  talking  about  General  Wheeler,  one  of  the 
bravest  of  the  brave ;  but  I  want  to  speak  of  that  sweet 
little  daughter  who  followed  him  to  Santiago  [great  ap 
plause],  and  ministered  to  the  sick  soldiers  at  Montauk. 
[Cheers.]  I  have  spoken  at  many  places  and  at  many 
times  of  the  heroism  of  the  American  army  and  the 
American  navy7,  but  in  our  recent  conflict  the  whole 
people  were  patriots.  Two  hundred  thousand  men  were 
called  for  and  a  million  rushed  to  get  a  place  in  the 
ranks.  [Great  applause.]  And  millions  more  stood 
ready  if  need  be.  [Prolonged  applause.] 


172  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

I  like  the  feeling  of  the  American  people  that  we 
ought  not  to  have  a  large  standing  army  5  but  it  has 
been  demonstrated  in  the  last  few  months  that  we  need 
the  standing  army  large  enough  to  do  all  the  work  re 
quired  while  we  are  at  peace,  and  can  rely  upon  the 
great  body  of  the  people  in  an  emergency  to  help  us 
fight  our  battles.  [Applause.] 

We  love  peace;  we  are  not  a  military  nation:  but 
whenever  the  time  of  peril  comes,  the  bulwark  of  this 
people  is  the  patriotism  of  its  citizens  j  and  this  nation 
will  be  safe  for  all  time  because  seventy-five  millions  of 
people  love  it  and  will  give  up  their  lives  to  sustain 
and  uphold  it.  [Great  applause.] 

I  thank  you,  my  fellow-citizens,  for  this  generous 
welcome  which  you  have  given  me  to-day,  and  I  shall 
go  back  to  my  duties  at  our  capital  feeling  that  we  have 
a  united  country  that  acknowledges  allegiance  to  but 
one  authority,  and  will  march  forever  unitedly  under 
one  flag,  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  [Tremendous  cheer 
ing  and  applause.] 


C. 


SPEECH  AT  BANQUET  OF  BOARD  OF  TRADE  AND  ASSO 
CIATED  CITIZENS,  SAVANNAH,  GEORGIA,  DECEMBER 
17,  1898. 

Mr.  President,  Mr.  Mayor,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

Words  are  poor  indeed  to  respond  fittingly  to  the 
earnest  and  heartfelt  welcome  which  has  been  extended 
to  me  and  those  who  accompany  me  since  we  have 
been  in  your  historic  city— a  city  whose  life  began  be- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  173 

fore  that  of  the  government,  and  which  has  ever  since 
kept  pace  with  the  progress  and  the  glory  of  the  govern 
ment.  I  feel  here  to-night  that  once  more  the  North 
and  the  South  are  together,  and  are  now  contending  in 
generous  rivalry  to  express  their  devotion  to  the  institu 
tions  which  they  have  established  and  the  land  which 
we  all  love.  [Applause.] 

There  is  cause  for  congratulation  that  with  the  grave 
problems  before  us,  growing  out  of  the  war  with  Spain, 
we  are  free  from  any  divisions  at  home. 

Our  financial  and  revenue  policies  cannot  be  changed 
for  at  least  four  years  ;  and  whatever  legislation  may  be 
had  affecting  them  during  that  period  will  be  to  improve 
and  strengthen,  not  destroy  them.  [Applause.] 

The  public  mind  can,  therefore,  repose  in  reasonable 
security,  while  business  will  proceed  without  apprehen 
sion  of  serious  and  sudden  changes,  so  disturbing  to  the 
commercial  world  and  so  distracting  to  the  business 
man.  All  of  which  is  fortunate  for  the  country,  for 
every  interest  and  every  section  of  the  country.  Even 
those  who  desire  other  and  different  policies  prefer  per 
manence  to  constant  change,  or,  what  is  almost  as  hurt 
ful,  the  fear  of  change.  There  are  happily  now  no 
domestic  differences  to  check  the  progress  and  prosper 
ity  of  the  country,  which  our  peaceful  relations  with  the 
whole  world  will  encourage  and  strengthen. 

This  is  fortunate,  too,  in  another  sense.  It  leaves  the 
country  free  to  consider  and  discuss  new  questions 
which  are  immediately  before  us,  unbiased  by  party  or 
past  political  alliances.  These  new  questions  are  to  be 
thought  out  and  wrought  out,  not  in  a  spirit  of  par- 
tizanship,  but  in  a  spirit  of  patriotism ;  not  for  the  tem 
porary  advantage  of  one  party  or  the  other,  but  for  the 


174  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

lasting  advantage  of  the  country.  [Applause.]  Neither 
prejudice  nor  passion  nor  previous  condition  can  em 
barrass  the  free  action  and  calm  judgment  of  the  citizen. 
We  have  entered  upon  new  paths.  We  are  treading  in 
an  unexplored  field  which  will  test  our  wisdom  and 
statesmanship.  The  chief  consideration  is  one  of  duty ; 
our  action  must  be  controlled  by  it.  No  settlement  is 
admissible  which  will  not  preserve  our  honor  and  pro 
mote  the  best  interests  of  all  concerned.  With  a  united 
country  and  the  gathered  wisdom  of  all  the  people,  seek 
ing  only  the  right,  inspired  only  by  high  purposes, 
moved  only  by  duty  and  humanity,  we  cannot  err.  We 
may  be  baffled  or  deterred  and  often  discouraged ;  but 
final  success  in  a  cause  which  is  altogether  unselfish  and 
humanitarian  can  only  be  deferred,  not  prevented.  [Ap 
plause.] 

If,  following  the  clear  precepts  of  duty,  territory  falls 
to  us,  and  the  welfare  of  an  alien  people  requires  our 
guidance  and  protection,  who  will  shrink  from  the  r 
sponsibility,  grave  though  it  may  be  ?  [Applause.]  C 
we  leave  these  people,  who,  by  the  fortunes  of  war  an 
our  own  acts,  are  helpless  and  without  government,  to 
chaos  and  anarchy,  after  we  have  destroyed  the  only 
government  they  have  had?  [Applause.]  Having  de-' 
stroyed  their^overnment,  it  is  theduty  of  the  American 
people  to  provide  for  them  a  jetter  one.  [Applause.] 
Shall jsre  disirustT'our selves,  shall  wejprQclaim  to  the 
world  our  inability  to  give  kindly  government  to  op- 
pressect  peoples  whose  lutureHby  the^  vicljjr-ie supf  war 
is"  confided  to  us  ?  We  may  wishit  were  jotherwis.e, 
our  duty  now  ?  It  is  not  a  question 


of  keeping  the  islands  of  the  East,  but  of  leaving  them. 
[Applause.]       Dewey   and  Merritt  took   them   [great 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  175 

applause],  and  the  country  instantly  and  universally  ap 
plauded.    Could  we  have  brought  Dewey  away  without 
universal  condemnation  at  any  time  from  the  1st  of  May, 
the  day  of  his  brilliant  victory  which  thrilled  the  work 
with  its  boldness  and  heroism?    [Great  applause.] /Was 
it  right  to  order  Dewey  to  go  to  Manila  and  capture  01 
destroy  the  Spanish  fleet,  and  despatch  Merritt  and  his 
army  to  reinforce  him?     [Cries  of  "Yes!"     Great  a] 
plause.]       If  it  was  duty  to  send  them  there,  and  duty\ 
required  them  to  remain  there,  it  was  their  clear  duty  to 
annihilate  the  fleet,  take  the  city  of  Manila,  and  destroy 
the  Spanish  sovereignty  in  the  archipelago.    [Continued 
applause.]     Having  done  all  that  in  the  line  of  duty, 
is  there  any  less  duty  to  remain  there  and  give  to  the 
inhabitants  protection  and  also  our  guidance  to  a  better/ 
government,  which  will  secure  to  them  peace  and  order! 
and  security  in  their  life  and  property  and  in  the  pur-| 
suit  of  happiness  f\[Applause.  ]      Are  we  unable  to  d< 
this?      [General  cry  of  "  No  !"]      Are  we  to  sit  down  ii] 
our  isolation  and  recognize  110  obligation  to  a  struggling 
people  whose  present  conditions  we  have  contributed  t( 
make  ?     I  would  rather  have  the  confidence  of  the  poel 
Bryant,  when  he  exclaims : 

Thou,  my  country,  thou  shalt  never  fall— 

Seas  and  stormy  air 

Are  the  wide  barrier  of  thy  borders,  where 

Among  thy  gallant  sons  that  guard  thee  well 

Thou  laugh'st  at  enemies.     Who  shall  then  declare 

The  date  of  thy  deep-founded  strength,  or  tell 

How  happy,  in  thy  lap,  the  sons  of  men  shall  dwell? 

My  fellow-citizens,  whatever  covenants  duty  has  made 
for  us  in  the  year  1898  we  must  keep.  [Enthusiastic 
and  prolonged  applause.] 


176  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CI. 


SPEECH  AT  GEORGIA  AGRICULTURAL  AND  MECHANICAL 
COLLEGE,  SAVANNAH,  DECEMBER  18,  1898. 

Fellow-Citizens : 

This  scene  has  profoundly  impressed  me,  and  I 
have  been  deeply  moved  by  the  eloquent  words  and 
the  exalted  sentiments  which  have  been  uttered  by  the 
two  gentlemen  whom  you  delegated  to  speak  in  your 
behalf.  It  gives  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  meet  you,  and 
to  meet  you  in  this  institution  of  learning,  presided  over 
by  one  whom  I  have  known  for  more  than  twenty  years, 
and  whom  I  have  come  to  admire  and  respect  as  one  of 
the  leaders  of  your  race.  I  congratulate  him  and  all 
associated  with  him  in  the  good  work  done  here  for  the 
exaltation  of  your  people.  I  congratulate  all  of  you  upon 
the  advance  made  by  you  in  the  last  third  of  a  century. 
You  are  entitled  to  all  the  praise  and  high  commenda 
tion  which,  I  am  sure,  you  receive  from  your  white 
fellow-citizens  in  this  and  every  part  of  the  country. 

I  congratulate  you  upon  your  acquirement  of  prop 
erty.  Many  of  your  race  have  large  properties  on  the 
tax  lists  in  the  several  States,  and  in  that  way  contribute 
proportionately  to  the  support  of  the  government. 

I  congratulate  you  on  what  you  have  done  in  learning 
and  the  acquirement  of  useful  knowledge ;  and  on  the  fact 
that  in  the  United  States  there  is  not  a  foot  of  ground 
beneath  the  flag  where  every  boy  and  every  girl,  white 
or  black,  cannot  have  an  education  to  fit  them  for  the 
battle  of  life. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  177 

Keep  on,  is  the  word  I  would  leave  with  you  to-day. 
Keep  on  in  the  efforts  upward,  but  remember  that  in 
acquiring  knowledge  there  is  one  thing  equally  impor 
tant,  and  that  is  character.  Nothing  in  the  whole  wide 
world  is  worth  so  much,  will  last  so  long,  and  serve  its 
possessor  so  well  as  good  character.  It  is  something 
that  no  one  can  take  from  you,  that  no  one  can  give  to 
you.  You  must  acquire  it  for  yourself. 

There  is  another  thing.  Do  not  forget  the  home. 
The  home  is  the  foundation  of  good  individual  life  and 
of  good  government.  Cultivate  good  homes,  make  them 
pure  and  sweet,  elevate  them,  and  other  good  things 
will  follow.  I  congratulate  you  that  this  institution  is 
not  only  looking  after  the  head,  but  after  the  hand.  I 
congratulate  you  that  it  is  making  not  only  good  orators, 
but  good  mechanics.  It  is  better  to  be  a  skilled  me 
chanic  than  a  poor  orator  or  an  indifferent  preacher. 
[Great  applause.]  In  a  word,  each  of  you  must  want  to 
be  best  in  whatever  you  undertake.  Nothing  in  the 
world  commands  more  respect  than  skill  and  industry. 
Every  avenue  is  open  to  them. 

I  congratulate  you  upon  the  valor  of  your  race.  My 
friend,  the  president  of  your  college,  has  made  an  allu 
sion  in  his  speech  to  what,  many  years  ago,  I  said  in 
a  public  address.  I  told  of  a  white  colonel  who  had 
delivered  the  flag  of  our  country  to  his  black  color- 
sergeant,  and  said  to  him : 

"  Sergeant,  I  place  in  your  hand  this  sacred  flag. 
Fight  for  it,  yes,  die  for  it,  but  never  surrender  it  to 
the  hands  of  the  enemy." 

That  black  soldier,  with  love  of  country  and  pride  in 
his  heart,  answered:  "I  will  bring  the  flag  back  in 
honor,  colonel,  or  report  to  God  the  reason  why." 


178  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

In  one  battle,  in  carrying  that  flag  of  freedom,  he  was 
stricken  down.  He  fell  with  the  folds  of  the  flag 
wrapped  about  him,  bathed  in  his  blood.  He  did  not 
bring  it  back,  but  God  knew  the  reason  why.  He  did 
all  he  could,  all  any  man  could.  He  gave  his  heart's 
blood  for  the  flag. 

At  San  Juan  hill  and  at  El  Caney— but  General 
Wheeler  is  here  [great  applause] ;  I  know  he  can  tell  you 
better  than  I  can  of  the  heroism  of  the  black  regiments 
which  fought  side  by  side  with  the  white  troops  on 
those  historic  fields. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  right  when,  speaking  of  the  black 
men,  he  said  that  the  time  might  come  when  they  would 
help  to  preserve  and  extend  freedom.  And  in  a  third 
of  a  century  you  have  been  among  those  who  have  given 
liberty  in  Cuba  to  an  oppressed  people. 

I  leave  with  you  this  one  word :  Keep  on.  You  will 
solve  your  own  problem.  Be  patient,  be  progressive, 
be  determined,  be  honest,  be  God-fearing,  and  you  will 
win,  for  no  effort  fails  that  has  a  stout,  honest,  earnest 
heart  behind  it.  [Great  applause.] 


CII. 
SPEECH  AT  MACON   GEORGIA,  DECEMBER  19,  1898. 

Fellow-Citizens: 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  visit  the  city  of 
Macon,  with  many  of  whose  citizens  I  have  been  as 
sociated  in  public  life.  It  has  given  me  pleasure  to 
witness  the  review  of  the  soldiers  of  the  United 
States.  How  much,  indeed,  has  this  nation  to  be  thank- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  179 

ful  for  at  this  hour !  With  what  reverent  gratitude  we 
should  express  our  thankfulness  to  a  divine  Providence 
that  has  so  tenderly  cared  for  the  American  people  !  We 
have  been  at  war  with  a  foreign  power.  That  war  ended 
after  one  hundred  and  thirteen  days  of  conflict— a  con 
flict  on  two  oceans,  a  conflict  in  the  West  and  East 
Indies,  twelve  thousand  miles  apart ;  with  fifty  thousand 
of  our  own  soldiers  on  distant  shores,  and  twenty  thou 
sand  sailors  and  marines  afloat ;  with  a  loss  in  army  and 
navy  of  less  than  two  thousand,  and  without  the  loss  of 
ship  or  sailor  or  soldier  or  flag  by  capture.  [Applause.] 
Never  was  there  a  more  magnificent  army  mustered,  and 
never  was  there  an  army  mustered  for  a  holier  cause,  or 
under  a  more  glorious  flag  than  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 
[Cheers  and  great  applause.] 

On  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  this  month,  the  day  before 
Christmas,  our  peace  commissioners  will  deliver  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  a  treaty  of  peace— peace 
with  honor,  peace  with  the  blessings  of  liberty  to 
struggling  peoples,  East  and  West.  [Applause.] 

I  congratulate  my  country  upon  another  fact.  We 
have  not  only  triumphed  over  our  enemy,  but  we  have 
triumphed  over  our  own  prejudices  and  are  now  a  united 
country.  [Prolonged  applause  and  cheers.] 

It  has  done  my  heart  good  to  witness  the  demonstra 
tions  of  patriotism  from  one  end  of  this  country  to  the 
other.  Six  weeks  ago  I  went  to  the  extreme  West.  I 
met  the  wave  of  patriotism  there.  I  come  to  the  South 
and  I  witness  the  same  spirit  of  loyalty  and  devotion  to 
a  common  country,  with  a  common  faith,  under  a  com 
mon  flag.  [Applause.] 

I  know  this  great  audience  wants  to  see  the  heroes  of 
the  war.  [  Applause.]  They  are  here  with  you— Shafter 


180  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

and  Wheeler  and  Lawton  and  Wilson  and  Bates  and 
others  who  were  conspicuous  in  the  recent  conflict. 
[Cheers.]  And  I  give  way  that  you  may  have  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  them  and  other  distinguished  gentlemen  who 
are  in  my  company  as  I  journey  through  the  South. 
[Great  applause.] 

cm. 

REMARKS  AT  MILLEDGEVILLE,  GEORGIA,  DECEMBER  19, 

1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  is  to  me  a  very  great  pleasure  to  meet  the  citi 
zens  of  Milledgeville,  the  old  capital  of  the  State  of 
Georgia.  In  my  trip  through  your  State  I  have  been 
received  with  a  real  warmth  of  welcome,  and  I  as 
sure  you  that  it  is  appreciated  from  the  depths  of  my 
heart. 

I  am  glad  to  know  that  once  more  this  country,  North 
and  South,  all  the  people  of  all  the  sections,  are  animated 
by  one  purpose,  one  aim,  one  hope  for  a  common  des 
tiny  under  the  dear  old  banner  of  the  free.  [Great 
applause  and  cheers.]  And  nothing  gives  me  more  sat 
isfaction  than  to  feel  that  as  the  President,  called  by  the 
suffrages  of  the  people,  I  am  permitted  to  preside  over  a 
nation,  rich  with  glorious  memories  of  glorious  deeds, 
now  united  in  an  unbroken  and  never-to-be-broken 
Union.  [Enthusiastic  applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  181 

CIV. 

SPEECH  AT  AUGUSTA,  GEORGIA,  DECEMBER  19,  1898. 

J/r.  Chairman,  my  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  have  been  received  by  many  people  in  many  places, 
East  and  West,  North  and  South,  but  nowhere  have  I 
had  welcome  that  has  given  me  greater  pleasure  than 
the  one  you  extend  to  me  here  to-day.  I  wish  it  were  in 
my  power  to  make  suitable  response  to  the  gracious  and 
eloquent  words  of  him  whom  you  have  chosen  to  speak 
in  your  behalf —my  old  friend,  whom  I  met  for  the  first 
time  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

It  is  indeed  an  honor  to  me,  and  one  that  shall  never 
be  forgotten,  to  stand  in  the  place  associated  with  the 
names  of  Washington  and  Lafayette  and  Clay  and  Web 
ster.  It  is  also  a  pleasure  to  me  to  be  in  the  city  where 
that  gallant  cavalry  officer,  General  Joe  Wheeler,  was 
born.  [Applause.]  It  is  a  pleasure  for  me  to  meet  in 
this  welcome  these  veterans  of  the  gray,  these  ex-Con 
federate  soldiers  [applause],  and  to  feel  that  in  common 
with  all  their  fellow-citizens  their  hearts  are  in  touch  with 
the  aims  and  purposes  of  this  great  republic.  [Applause.] 

What  a  wonderful  country  we  have !  With  what 
pride  its  contemplation  fills  us  all !  When  Washington 
was  here  we  had  a  little  over  three  millions  of  people. 
We  have  seventy-five  millions  to-day.  We  have  added 
vastly  to  our  territory.  We  are  to-day  the  largest  manu 
facturing  and  the  largest  agricultural  nation  of  the 
world.  [Applause.]  Our  commerce  floats  on  every  sea ; 
and  only  day  before  yesterday  I  saw  that  a  thousand 


182  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

tons  of  American  ship's  plates  had  been  landed  at  Glas 
gow,  Scotland,  and,  what  is  even  more  significant,  it  was 
carried  on  a  ship  bearing  the  American  flag.  [Ap 
plause.] 

I  congratulate  you  upon  the  prosperity  of  the  country. 
I  congratulate  you  upon  the  progress  it  has  made  in  the 
last  third  of  a  century  j  and  I  congratulate  you  more 
because  as  a  people  we  are  more  united,  more  devoted  to 
noble  and  common  purposes  than  we  have  been  since 
the  foundation  of  the  federal  Union.  [Applause.]  There 
are  no  divisions  now.  We  stood  united  before  a  for 
eign  foe.  We  will  stand  united  until  every  triumph  of 
that  war  has  been  made  permanent.  [Applause.] 

This,  my  fellow-citizens,  is  a  fitting  conclusion  of  a 
most  remarkable  trip.  Only  as  one  star  differs  from 
another  is  this  different  from  what  has  greeted  us  at 
every  step.  They  have  all  been  glorious  j  and  I  leave 
this  inspiring  picture,  I  leave  this  wonderful  manifes 
tation  of  gracious  hospitality,  this  scene  of  devoted- 
ness  to  country  and  flag,  with  memories  that  I  shall 
carry  with  me  so  long  as  life  lasts.  [Applause.]  And 
in  this  sentiment  every  one  associated  with  me,  I 
am  sure,  fully  shares.  I  go  back  to  my  public  duties 
at  Washington  strengthened  by  your  warm  hearts' 
touch  [applause]  and  encouraged  to  meet  the  grave  re 
sponsibilities  which  await  me  as  the  servant  of  all  the 
people,  feeling  that  I  shall  have  your  support  and  your 
prayers  that  I  may  perform  those  duties  to  the  honor 
of  my  country  and  to  the  best  well-being  of  all  con 
cerned.  [Prolonged  applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  183 


cv. 


SPEECH  AT  COLUMBIA,  SOUTH  CAROLINA,  DECEMBER 
19,   1898. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

This  stop  was  not  a  part  of  our  itinerary  •  but  it  is  as 
agreeable  as  it  was  unexpected  that  I  am  permitted  to 
greet  my  fellow-citizens  of  the  city  of  Columbia.  I  am 
glad  to  meet  the  citizens  of  the  State  and  also  the 
soldiers  of  the  United  States  encamped  in  your  vicinity. 
A  government  like  ours  rests  upon  the  intelligence, 
morality,  and  patriotism  of  the  people.  These  consti 
tute  our  strength ;  and  in  a  history  of  more  than  a 
hundred  years  filled  with  great  achievements  and 
marked  by  unparalleled  progress,  they  have  never 
failed.  They  make  good  citizenship,  and  good  citizen 
ship  is  necessary  to  material  advancement.  The  ma 
jority  of  the  people  have  always  been  on  the  side  of 
right  action  and  good  government.  In  this  year  1898, 
one  of  the  most  glorious,  there  have  been  such  mani 
festations  of  good  feeling,  of  good  will,  of  loyalty,  upon 
the  part  of  all  the  people  of  all  sections  of  the  country, 
as  have  been  unprecedented  in  our  history.  [Applause.] 
Each  has  rivaled  the  other  in  devotion  to  the  old  flag. 
[Applause.]  It  is  a  happy  omen  for  our  country  in 
view  of  the  vast  problems  that  await  us  in  the  near 
future.  And  let  us  here  in  South  Carolina,  and  in 
every  other  State  of  the  American  Union,  devote  our 
selves  to  the  preservation  of  this  great  political  struc 
ture,  resolved  that  the  "  government  of  the  people,  by 


184  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

the  people,  and  for  the  people  shall  not  perish  from 
the  earth."  It  cannot  so  long  as  it  continues  deeply 
rooted  in  the  affection  of  its  citizens.  [Applause.] 


CVI. 

REMAKES  AT  NEW  LONDON,  CONNECTICUT, 
FEBRUARY  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

This  unexpected  call  upon  the  part  of  my  fellow- 
citizens  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  is  most  gratifying 
to  me.  I  congratulate  you  all  upon  the  splendid  busi 
ness  conditions  of  our  country ;  upon  the  patriotism  of 
our  people  j  upon  a  peace  that  has  been  secured  with 
honor  to  the  valor  of  our  soldiers  on  land  and  the  hero 
ism  of  our  sailors  on  sea.  We  have  a  great  country, 
one  in  which  we  all  feel  a  just  and  sincere  pride ;  and 
to  us,  and  to  those  who  shall  come  after  us,  will  be 
transmitted  the  responsibility  of  preserving  unimpaired 
the  liberty  we  now  enjoy,  and  of  carrying  forward  to 
future  generations  its  free  institutions.  [Great  ap 
plause.] 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  185 


CVII. 

SPEECH  AT  DINNER  OF  THE  HOME  MARKET  CLUB, 
BOSTON,  FEBRUARY  16,  1899. 

Mr.  President,  Members  of  the  Home  Market  Clitb,  Ladles 
and  Gentlemen  : 

I  have  been  deeply  and  profoundly  moved  by  this 
manifestation  of  your  good  will  and  the  cordial  welcome 
extended  by  the  governor  of  your  great  commonwealth, 
as  well  as  by  the  chief  executive  officer  of  this  the 
principal  city  of  your  State.  I  thank  the  governor  of 
the  commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  I  thank  the  mayor 
of  the  city  of  Boston,  for  their  warm  and  generous 
words  of  greeting. 

My  fellow-citizens,  the  years  go  quickly.  It  seems 
not  so  long,  but  it  is,  in  fact,  six  years,  since  it  was  my 
honor  to  be  a  guest  of  the  Home  Market  Club.  Much 
has  happened  in  the  intervening  time.  Issues  which 
were  then  engaging  us  have  been  settled  or  put  aside 
for  larger  and  more  absorbing  ones.  Domestic  con 
ditions  have  improved  and  are  generally  satisfactory. 
We  have  made  progress  in  industry  and  have  realized 
the  prosperity  for  which  we  have  been  striving.  We 
had  four  long  years  of  adversity,  which  taught  us  some 
lessons  that  will  never  be  unlearned,  and  which  will 
be  valuable  in  guiding  our  future  action.  We  have  not 
only  been  successful  in  our  financial  and  business  affairs, 
but  in  a  war  with  a  foreign  power  which  has  added 
great  glory  to  American  arms  and  a  new  chapter  to 
American  history.  [Great  applause.] 


186  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

I  do  not  know  why,  in  the  year  1899,  this  republic  has 
unexpectedly  had  placed  before  it  mighty  problems  which 
it  must  face  and  meet.  They  have  come  and  are  here, 
and  they  could  not  be  kept  away.  Many  who  were  im 
patient  for  the  conflict  a  year  ago,  apparently  heedless 
of  its  larger  results,  are  the  first  to  cry  out  against  the 
far-reaching  consequences  of  their  own  act.  Those  of 
us  who  dreaded  war  most,  and  whose  every  effort  was 
directed  to  prevent  it,  had  fears  of  new  and  grave  prob 
lems  which  might  follow  its  inauguration. 

The  evolution  of  events,  which  no  man  could  control, 
has  brought  these  problems  upon  us.  Certain  it  is  that 
they  have  not  come  through  any  fault  on  our  own  part, 
but  as  a  high  obligation  j  and  we  meet  them  with  clear 
conscience  and  unselfish  purpose,  and  with  good  heart 
resolve  to  undertake  their  solution.  [Applause.] 

War  was  declared  in  April,  1898,  with  practical  una 
nimity  by  Congress,  and,  once  upon  us,  was  sustained 
by  like  unanimity  among  the  people.  There  had  been 
many  who  tried  to  avert  it,  as,  on  the  other  hand, 
there  were  many  who  would  have  precipitated  it  at  an 
early  date.  In  its  prosecution  and  conclusion  the  great 
majority  of  our  countrymen  of  every  section  believed 
they  were  fighting  in  a  just  cause,  and  at  home  or  at  sea 
or  in  the  field  they  had  part  in  its  glorious  triumphs. 
It  was  the  war  of  an  undivided  nation.  Every  great  act 
in  its  progress,  from  Manila  to  Santiago,  from  Guam  to 
Porto  Rico,  met  universal  and  hearty  commendation. 
The  protocol  commanded  the  practically  unanimous  ap 
proval  of  the  American  people.  It  was  welcomed  by 
every  lover  of  peace  beneath  the  flag. 

The  Philippines,  like  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico,  were  in 
trusted  to  our  hands  by  the  war,  and  to  that  great  trust, 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY. 


187 


under  the  providence  of  God  and  in  the  name  of  human 
progress  and  civilization,  we  are  committed.  [Great 
applause.]  It  is  a  trust  we  have  not  sought;  it  is  a 
trust  from  which  we  will  not  flinch.  The  American 
people  will  hold  up  the  hands  of  their  servants  at  home 

whom  they  commit  its  execution,  while  Dewey  and 
Otis  and  the  brave  men  whom  they  command  will  have 
the  support  of  the  country  in  upholding  our  flag  where 
it  now  floats,  the  symbol  and  assurance  of  liberty  and 
justice.  [Great  applause.] 

What  nation  was  ever  able  to  write  an  accurate  pro 
gram  of  the  war  upon  which  it  was  entering,  much  less 
decree  in  advance  the  scope  of  its  results?  Congress 
can  declare  war,  but  a  higher  Power  decrees  its  bounds 
and  fixes  its  relations  and  responsibilities.  The  Presi 
dent  can  direct  the  movements  of  soldiers  in  the  field 
and  fleets  upon  the  sea,  but  he  cannot  foresee  the  close 
of  such  movements  or  prescribe  their  limits.  He 
cannot  anticipate  or  avoid  the  consequences,  but  he 
must  meet  them.  No  accurate  map  of  nations  engaged 
in  war  can  be  traced  until  the  war  is  over,  nor  can 
the  measure  of  responsibility  be  fixed  till  the  last  gun 
is  fired  and  the  verdict  embodied  in  the  stipulations  of 
peace. 

We  hear  no  complaint  of  the  relations  created  by  the 
war  between  this  government  and  the  islands  of  Cuba 
and  Porto  Rico.  There  are  some,  however,  who  regard 
the  Philippines  as  in  a  different  relation ;  but  whatever 
variety  of  views  there  may  be  on  this  phase  of  the 
question,  there  is  universal  agreement  that  the  Philip 
pines  shall  not  be  turned  back  to  Spain.  •  [Great  ap 
plause.]  No  true  American  consents  to  that.  Even  if 
unwilling  to  accept  them  ourselves,  it  would  have  been 


188  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

weak  evasion  of  duty  to  require  Spain  to  transfer 
them  to  some  other  power  or  powers,  and  thus  shirk 
our  own  responsibility.  Even  if  we  had  had,  as  we  did 
not  have,  the  power  to  compel  such  a  transfer,  it  could 
not  have  been  made  without  the  most  serious  inter 
national  complications.  Such  a  course  could  not  be 
•AAthought  of.  And  yet,  had  we  refused  to  accept  the  ces- 
f  sion  of  them,  we  should  have  had  no  power  over  them, 
6ven  for  their  own  good.  fWe  could  not  discharge  the 
responsibilities  upon  us  until  these  islands  became  ours 
either  by  conquest  or  treaty.  There  was  but  one  alter 
native,  and  that  was  either  Spain  or  the  United  States 
in  the  Philippines.^  [Prolonged  applause.J^The  other 
suggestions— first,  that  they  should  be  tossed  into  the 
arena  of  contention  for  the  strife  of  nations ;  or,  second, 
be  left  to  the  anarchy  and  chaos  of  no  protectorate  at 
all— were  too  shameful  to  be  considered.  The  treaty 
gave  them  to  the  United  States.  Could  we  have  re 
quired  less  and  done  our  duty  ?  [Cries  of  "  No ! "] 
Could  we,  after  freeing  the  Filipinos  from  the  dom 
ination  of  Spain,  have  left  them  without  government 
and  without  power  to  protect  life  or  property  or  to  per 
form  the  international  obligations  essential  to  an  inde 
pendent  state  ?  Could  we  have  left  them  in  a  state  of 
anarchy  and  justified  ourselves  in  our  own  consciences 
or  before  the  tribunal  of  mankind?  Could  we  have 
done  that  in  the  sight  of  God  or  man  ? 

Our  concern  was  not  for  territory  or  trade  or  empire, 
but  for  the  people  whose  interests  and  destiny,  without 
our  willing  it,  had  been  put  in  our  hands.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  It  was  with  this  feeling  that,  from  the  first  day 
to  the  last,  not  one  word  or  line  went  from  the  Executive 
in  Washington  to  our  military  and  naval  commanders 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  189 

at  Manila,  or  to  our  peace  commissioners  at  Paris,  that 
did  not  put  as  the  sole  purpose  to  be  kept  in  mind,  first  1 
after  the  success  of  our  arms  and  the  maintenance  of 
our  own  honor,  the  welfare  and  happiness  and  the  rights 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Philippine  Islands.    [Great  and 
long-continued  applause.]      Did  we  need  their  consent 
to  perform  a  great  act  for  humanity  ?     We  had  it  in 
every  aspiration  of    their    minds,    in     every   hope    oJ 
their  hearts.     Was  it  necessary  to  ask  their  consent  t< 
capture  Manila,  the  capital  of  their  islands?    [Laugh] 
ter.j     Did  we  ask  their  consent  to  liberate  them  froi 
Spanish  sovereignty,  or  to  enter  Manila  Bay  and  destroy 
the  Spanish  sea-power   there?    We  did  not  ask  thes| 
things ;   we  were  obeying  a   higher  moral    "Hig 
which  rested    on  ns  and   which  did  not  require  air 
body^sjconsent,      [Great  applause  and  cheering.]      We 
w,ere  doing  our  duty  by  them,  as  God  gave  us  the  lightTt] 


seejour__duty,  with  the  consent  of  our^own  conscience 
and  with  the  approval  of  civilization.  [Applause. 
Every  present  obligation  has  beenmet  and  fulfilled  ii 
the  expulsion  of  Spanish  sovereignty  from  their  islands 
and  while  the  war  that  destroyed  it  was  in  progress  w 
could  not  ask  their  views.  Nor  can  we  now  ask  thei 
consent.  Indeed,  can  any  one  tell  me  in  what  form  i 
could  be  marshaled  and  ascertained  until  peace  anc 
order,  so  necessary  to  the  reign  of  reason,  shall  be  se 
cured  and  established?  [Applause.]  A  reign  of  terro 
is  not  the  kind  of  rule  under  which  right  action  anc 
deliberate  judgment  are  possible.  It  is  not  a  good  time 
for  the  liberator  to  submit  important  questions  concern 
ing  liberty  and  government  to  the  liberated  while  they 
are  engaged  in  shooting  down  their  rescuers.  [Applause 
and  cheering.] 


190  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

We  have  now  ended  the  war  with  Spain.  The  treaty 
has  been  ratified  by  the  votes  of  more  than  two  thirds 
of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  by  the  judgment 
of  nine  tenths  of  its  people.  [Applause.]  No  nation  was 
ever  more  fortunate  in  war  or  more  honorable  in  its 
negotiations  in  peace.  Spain  is  now  eliminated  from 
the  problem.  It  remains  to  ask  what  we  shall  now  do. 
I  do  not  intrude  upon  the  duties  of  Congress  or  seek  to 
anticipate  or  forestall  its  action.  I  only  say  that  the 
treaty  of  peace,  honorably  secured,  having  been  ratified 
by  the  United  States,  and,  as  we  confidently  expect, 
shortly  to  be  ratified  by  Spain,  Congress  will  have  the 
power,  and  I  am  sure  the  purpose,  to  do  what,  in  good 
morals,  is  right  and  just  and  humane  for  these  peoples 
in  distant  seas.  [Applause.] 

It  is  sometimes  hard  to  determine  what  is  best  to  do, 
and  the  best  thing  to  do  is  oftentimes  the  hardest.  The 
prophet  of  evil  would  do  notning  [laughter]  because  he 
flinches  at  sacrifice  and  effort,  and  to  do  nothing  is 
easiest  and  involves  the  least  cost.  [Laughter.]  On 
those  who  have  things  to  do  there  rests  a  responsibility 
which  is  not  on  those  who  have  no  obligations  as  doers. 
If  the  doubters  were  in  a  majority,  there  would,  it  is 
true,  be  no  labor,  no  sacrifice,  no  anxiety,  and  no  bur 
den  raised  or  carried;  no  contribution  from  our  ease 
and  purse  and  comfort  to  the  welfare  of  others,  or  even 
to  the  extension  of  our  resources  to  the  welfare  of  our 
selves.  There  would  be  ease,  but  alas !  there  would  be 
nothing  done. 

But  grave  problems  come  in  the  life  of  a  nation,  how 
ever  much  men  may  seek  to  avoid  them.  They  come 
without  our  seeking,— why,  we  do  not  know,  and  it  is 
not  always  given  us  to  know,— but  the  generation  on 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  191 

which  they  are  forced  cannot  avoid  the  responsibility 
of  honestly  striving  for  their  solution.  [Applause.] 
We  may  not  know  precisely  how  to  solve  them,  but  we 
can  make  an  honest  effort  to  that  end,  and  if  made  in 
conscience,  justice,  and  honor  it  will  not  be  in  vain. 

The  future  of  the  Philippine  Islands  is  now  in  the 
hands  of  the  American  people.  [Applause.]  Until  the 
treaty  was  ratified  or  rejected,  the  Executive  Depart 
ment  of  this  government  could  only  preserve  the  peace 
and  protect  life  and  property.  That  treaty  now  com 
mits  the  free  and  enfranchised  Filipinos  to  the  guiding 
hand  and  the  liberalizing  influences,  the  generous  sym 
pathies,  the  uplifting  education,  not  of  their  American 
masters,  but  of  their  American  emancipators.  [Great 
applause.]  No  one  can  tell  to-day  what  is  best  for  them 
or  for  us.  I  know  no  one  at  this  hour  who  is  wise 
enough  or  sufficiently  informed  to  determine  what  form 
of  government  will  best  subserve  their  interests  and 
our  interests,  their  and  our  well-being. 

If  we  knew  everything  by  intuition— and  I  sometimes 
think  that  there  are  those  who  believe  that  if  we  do  not 
they  do  [laughter  and  applause] — we  should  not  need 
information ;  but,  unfortunately,  most  of  us  are  not  in 
that  happy  state.  This  whole  subject  is  now  with  Con 
gress  j  and  Congress  is  the  voice,  the  conscience,  and 
the  judgment  of  the  American  people.  Upon  their 
judgment  and  conscience  can  we  not  rely  ?  I  believe  in 
them.  I  trust  them.  I  know  of  no  better  or  safer  human 
tribunal  than  the  people.  [Great  applause.] 

Until  Congress  shall  direct  otherwise,  it  will  be  the 
duty  of  the  Executive  to  possess  and  hold  the  Philip 
pines,  giving  to  the  people  thereof  peace  and  order  and 
beneficent  government  ;  affording  them  every  oppor- 


192  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

tunity  to  prosecute  their  lawful  pursuits  ;  encouraging 
them  in  thrift  and  industry  •  making  them  feel  and  know 
that  we  are  their  friends,  not  their  enemies,  that  their 
good  is  our  aim,  that  their  welfare  is  our  welfare,  but 
that  neither  their  aspirations  nor  ours  can  be  realized 
until  our  authority  is  acknowledged  and  unquestioned. 
[Loud  and  enthusiastic  applause.] 

That  the  inhabitants  of  the  Philippines  will  be  bene-;. 
fited  by  this   republic  is  my  unshaken  belief.      That, 
they  will  have  a  kindlier  government  under  our  guid-  . 
ance,  and  that  they  will  be  aided  in  every  possible  way  ' 
to  be  a  self-respecting  and  self-governing  people,  is  as 
true  as  that  the  American  people  love  liberty  and  have 
an  abiding  faith  in  their  own  government  and  in  their 
own  institutions.   [Great  applause.]   No  imperial  designs 
lurk  in  the  American  mind.    They  are  alien  to  American 
sentiment,   thought,  and  purpose.     Our  priceless  prin 
ciples  undergo  no  change  under  a  tropical  sun.      They 
go  with  the  flag.     [Long-continued  applause.] 

Why  read  ye  not  the  changeless  truth, 

The  free  can  conquer  but  to  save?     [Great  applauser?\ 

If  we  can  benefit  these  remote  peoples,  who  will  ob 
ject  1  If,  in  the  years  of  the  future,  they  are  established 
in  government  under  law  and  liberty,  who  will  regret 
our  perils  and  sacrifices  ?  Who  will  not  rejoice  in  our 
heroism  and  humanity  ?  Always  perils,  and  always  after 
them  safety;  always  darkness  and  clouds,  but  always 
shining  through  them  the  light  and  the  sunshine;  al 
ways  cost  and  sacrifice,  but  always  after  them  the  frui 
tion  of  liberty,  education,  and  civilization.  [Enthusias 
tic  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  193 

I  have  no  light  or  knowledge  not  common  to  my 
countrymen.  I  do  not  prophesy.  The  present  is  all- 
absorbing  to  me.  But  I  cannot  bound  my  vision  by  the 
blood-stained  trenches  around  Manila,— where  every  red 
drop,  whether  from  the  veins  of  an  American  soldier  or 
a  misguided  Filipino,  is  anguish  to  my  heart,— but  by 
the  broad  range  of  future  years,  when  that  group  of 
islands,  under  the  impulse  of  the  year  just  past,  shall 
have  become  the  gems  and  glories  of  those  tropical  seas— 
a  land  of  plenty  and  of  increasing  possibilities ;  a  people 
redeemed  from  savage  indolence  and  habits,  devoted  to 
the  arts  of  peace,  in  touch  with  the  commerce  and  trade 
of  all  nations,  enjoying  the  blessings  of  freedom,  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty,  of  education,  and  of  homes,  and 
whose  children  and  children's  children  shall  for  ages 
hence  bless  the  American  republic  because  it  emanci 
pated  and  redeemed  their  fatherland,  and  set  them  in 
the  pathway  of  the  world's  best  civilization.  [Prolonged 
applause.] 

CVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  G.  A.  R,  ENCAMPMENT,  BOSTON, 
FEBRUARY  17,  1899. 

Mr.  Commander,  Comrades  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  ~Re- 

public  : 

I  count  myself  most  fortunate  to  find,  upon  my  visit 
to  the  city  of  Boston,  my  comrades  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  in  session  in  the  same  city,  thus  giving 
me  an  opportunity  once  again  to  look  into  your  friendly 
faces  and  exchange  the  friendly  greetings  of  comrade 
ship  with  you.  [Applause.] 

13 


194  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

You  fought  in  a  holy  cause,  which,  under  the  provi 
dence  of  God,  triumphed.  You  fought  in  a  cause  which 
made  this  the  freest  and  best  and  greatest  government 
beneath  the  sun.  As  I  heard  your  cheers  this  morning, 
I  felt  that  you  still  had  the  old  spirit  of  '61.  [Pro 
longed  applause  and  cheers.] 

You  were  not  only  good  soldiers,  my  comrades,  main 
taining  in  the  battle's  front  the  honor  and  integrity  of 
the  flag  we  loved  so  much,  but  since  the  war,  as  citi 
zens,  you  have  ever  been  loyal  and  faithful,  preserving 
in  peace  the  government  which  you  secured  in  war. 

The  sad  feature  about  all  these  reunions  is  that  our 
numbers  are  diminishing.  Every  annual  roll-call  dis 
closes  one  or  another  of  our  comrades  not  present,  but 
accounted  for.  They  have  gone  to  join  their  comrades 
on  the  other  side,  now  in  the  majority.  It  has  occurred 
to  me,  as  it  has  to  every  old  soldier  of  the  war,  that  the 
conspicuous  commanders,  those  who  gave  orders  we 
loved  to  obey,  have  all  gone  from  among  us — Grant  and 
Sherman  and  Sheridan  and  Logan  and  Hancock,  and  a 
long  line  besides,  whose  names  are  treasured  in  the 
memories  of  the  soldiers  of  the  republic.  [Great  ap 
plause.  J 

I  am  glad  to  meet  you  here  this  morning.  I  am  glad 
to  have  had  the  opportunity  of  living,  as  you  have  had 
the  opportunity  of  living,  in  this  last  year,  when  the 
American  people  have  again  manifested  their  patriot 
ism,  their  love  of  country,  their  devotion  to  American 
honor.  [Cheers.] 

May  I  suggest  to  you  here  this  morning  that  you  will 
have  to  increase  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic?  I 
do  not  know  how  you  will  do  it,  but  I  want  to  see  all 
the  brave  men  of  the  Spanish  War,  North  and  South,  in 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  195 

some  great  patriotic  organization,  and  I  know  none 
better  than  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  [Shouts 
of  "  Good  !  "  and  applause.] 


CIX. 

SPEECH  TO  THE  GENERAL  COURT,  BOSTON, 
FEBRUARY  17,  1899. 

Mr.  President,  Gentlemen  of  tlie  General  Court: 

Although  limited  for  time,  I  could  not  deny  myself 
the  honor  of  accepting  the  invitation,  officially  extended 
by  joint  resolution  of  your  honorable  body,  which  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  receiving  from  the  hands  of  your  distin 
guished  senior  senator,  Hon.  George  F.  Hoar.  I  am 
not  indifferent  to  your  generous  action,  and  it  cannot 
be  more  sincere  than  the  feeling  of  pleasure  which  I 
have  in  meeting  the  senators  and  representatives  of  the 
great  commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

In  this  ancient  capitol  great  public  questions  have 
had  free  discussion.  Here  great  statesmen,  whose  names 
live  in  their  country's  history,  have  received  their  train 
ing  and  voiced  the  enlightened  opinions  of  their  coun 
trymen.  Here,  through  the  century,  you  have  chosen 
your  fellow-citizens  to  represent  you  in  the  councils  of 
the  nation  through  that  great  parliamentary  body,  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States.  You  have  chosen  well,  and 
leaders  you  have  never  lacked.  [Applause.] 

What  illustrious  men  have  thus  borne  the  commission 
of  the  legislative  body  of  the  commonwealth  of  Massa 
chusetts ! — Adams  and  Pickering  and  Webster,  Choate 
and  Everett  and  Winthrop,  Sumner,  Wilson,  and  a  long 


196  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

list  besides,  illustrious  in  the  annals  of  your  State  and 
of  the  nation ;  and  those  later  statesmen,  Hoar  and 
Lodge,  honored  everywhere  for  their  distinguished  ser 
vices  to  our  common  country.  [Great  applause.] 

It  was  in  the  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives 
that  John  A.  Andrew  made  the  speech  for  human  liberty 
which  touched  the  hearts  of  his  fellow-citizens  and  made 
him  your  great  war  governor.  [Applause.]  And  at 
one  time  the  Speaker's  chair  of  this  legislative  bod}^  was 
occupied  by  your  former  governor  and  representative  in 
Congress,  the  able  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Hon.  John 
D.  Long,  whose  great  department  has  added  luster  to 
the  American  navy  and  glory  to  the  American  name. 
[Great  applause.] 

I  am  glad  to  be  on  this  historic  ground.  It  revives 
memories  sacred  in  American  life.  It  recalls  the  struggles 
of  the  founders  of  Massachusetts  for  liberty  and  inde 
pendence.  Their  unselfish  sacrifices,  their  dauntless 
courage,  are  the  inspiration  of  all  lovers  of  freedom 
everywhere.  Their  lives  and  character  reach  into  every 
American  home,  and  have  stimulated  the  best  aspira 
tions  of  American  manhood. 

In  the  beginning  of  our  national  existence,  and  even 
before,  this  was  the  home  and  fountain  of  liberty.  It 
is  the  home  of  liberty  now ;  and  I  am  sure  that  what 
these  great  men  of  the  past  secured  for  us  they  would 
have  us  not  only  transmit  to  our  descendants,  but  carry 
to  oppressed  peoples  whose  interest  and  welfare  by  the 
fortunes  of  war  are  committed  to  us.  [Great  applause.] 

We  may  regard  the  situation  before  us  as  a  burden 
or  as  an  opportunity ;  but  whether  the  one  or  the  other, 
it  is  here,  and  conscience  and  civilization  require  us  to 
meet  it  bravely.  Desertion  of  duty  is  not  an  American 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  197 

habit.     It  was  not  the  custom  of  the  fathers  and  will 
not  be  the  practice  of  their  sons.    [Prolonged  applause.] 


CX. 


SPEECH  AT  THE  COMMERCIAL  CLUB  RECEPTION,  BOSTON, 
FEBRUARY  17,  1899. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Commercial  Club : 

My  thanks  are  due  first  to  the  president  of  your  asso 
ciation  for  his  generous  words  of  welcome  and  his  expres 
sion  of  approval  of  that  which  has  been  accomplished  in 
the  past  two  years.  I  thank  this  club  as  a  body  for  this 
expression  of  its  good  will. 

This  country  as  a  nation  has  much  to  congratulate 
itself  upon.  Your  president  has  alluded  to  one  or  two 
things.  We  were  never  in  all  our  history  on  such  good 
terms  with  each  other,  North  and  South,  East  and 
West,  as  we  are  at  this  hour.  [Applause.] 

The  union  of  hearts  and  the  union  of  hands  were  never 
stronger  than  in  this  year  1899.  [Renewed  applause.] 

More  than  all,  we  are  to-day  on  more  cordial  relations 
with  all  the  world  than  we  have  been  for  many  years. 
The  treaty  of  peace  has  been  ratified  and  we  are  no 
longer  at  war.  Whatever  the  difference  of  opinion  in 
Massachusetts,  to  which  reference  has  been  made,  I 
have  discovered  that  when  there  is  a  crisis,  national 
or  otherwise,  Massachusetts  stands  for  national  credit 
and  national  honor.  [Prolonged  applause.]  I  am 
pleased  to  meet  the  men  about  this  board— men  of 
letters,  men  of  the  law,  as  well  as  the  men  of  business. 

I  have  been  glad  to  meet  the  representative  of  Har- 


198  SPEECHES  AND  ADDEESSES 

vard  College  here.  I  like  old  Harvard.  [Applause.]  I 
like  the  Harvard  men.  I  still  have  cause  to  be  grateful 
to  them.  They  gave  to  the  nation  an  Otis  at  Manila 
[applause],  and  Lawton,  who  led  our  forces  at  El  Caney 
[renewed  applause],  and  Roosevelt  [cheers],  and  last,  but 
not  least,  Leonard  Wood.  [Prolonged  applause.]  Nor 
can  I  ever  forget  that  Harvard  furnished  to  me  and  to 
the  country  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  John  D.  Long. 
[Cheers  and  tumultuous  applause.] 

I  learned  my  lessons  in  liberty  from  the  people  of 
Massachusetts.  [Enthusiastic  applause.] 

But,  fellow-citizens,  as  I  started  out  to  say  to  you, 
I  am  glad  to  meet  the  members  of  the  Commercial 
Club  and  the  business  men  of  Boston  here  assembled. 
I  rejoice  with  them  upon  the  better  conditions  of  trade 
now  prevailing  throughout  the  country.  The  last  twelve 
months  have  marked  great  changes  and  brought  busi 
ness  improvement  to  industrial  America.  The  man  of 
affairs  feels  better  because  his  affairs  are  in  a  better 
state.  He  is  more  comfortable  than  he  has  been  for 
many  years.  He  has  taken  on  new  courage  and  confi 
dence.  He  is  satisfied  with  the  revenue  and  financial 
policies  of  his  country.  He  can  now  make  accurate 
calculation  on  the  future. 

The  past  year  has  recorded  a  volume  of  business, 
domestic  and  foreign,  unparalleled  in  any  former  opera 
tions  of  the  United  States.  Our  enormous  export  trade 
has  made  American  balances  satisfactory,  and  almost 
for  the  first  time  the  money  of  the  country  has  been  so 
abundant,  and  the  wealth  of  the  country  so  great,  that 
our  capitalists  have  sought  foreign  investments.  We 
are  fast  going  from  a  debtor  to  a  creditor  nation.  I 
hope  nothing  will  check  it.  We  have  quit  discussing 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  190 

the  tariff,  and  have  turned  our  attention  to  getting 
trade  wherever  it  can  be  found.  It  will  be  a  long  time 
before  any  change  can  be  had  or  any  change  will  be 
desired  in  our  present  fiscal  policy,  except  to  strengthen 
it.  The  differences  on  this  question  which  existed  have 
disappeared,  for  the  time  at  least.  We  have  turned 
from  academic  theories  to  trade  conditions,  and  are 
seeking  our  share  of  the  world's  markets. 

Not  only  is  our  business  good,  but  our  money  is  good. 
There  is  no  longer  any  fear  of  debased  currency ;  it 
has  been  happily  dispelled.  The  highest  and  best  stan 
dard  recognized  by  the  leading  commercial  nations  has 
been  maintained,  and  it  has  been  done  so  far  without 
a  resort  to  loans.  The  cause  of  sound  money  has  ad 
vanced  in  the  last  two  years.  Honest  finance  has  made 
positive  gains.  I  do  not  think  we  quite  appreciate  yet 
the  full  measure  of  its  success. 

Both  branches  of  Congress  on  the  4th  of  March  next 
will  have  an  unquestioned  majority  opposed  to  any 
demoralization  of  our  currency,  and  committed  to  up 
hold  the  world's  standard.  Certainly  for  two  years  every 
branch  of  the  national  government  will  be  united  for  good 
currency  and  the  inviolability  of  our  national  obliga 
tions  and  credit.  The  investments  and  enterprises  of  the 
people  can  therefore  not  be  unsettled  by  sudden  changes. 

We  have  been  engaged  in  war.  Two  hundred  and 
seventy  thousand  of  our  citizens  have  been  in  the  field ; 
our  sailors  have  been  afloat  in  two  hemispheres;  and 
yet  the  business  of  the  country  has  been  steadily  grow 
ing,  our  resources  multiplying,  the  energy  of  our  people 
has  been  quickened,  and,  at  the  end  of  our  glorious  land 
and  naval  triumphs,  we  find  the  country  in  a  condition 
of  almost  unparalleled  activity  and  prosperity. 


200  SPEECHES  AND  ADDKESSES 

Our  domestic  situation  is  fortunate  indeed,  consider 
ing  the  new  questions  which  we  must  meet  and  solve. 
That  they  will  be  settled  on  the  lines  of  right  and  duty 
I  cannot  doubt,  and  that  the  business  men  of  Boston 
and  of  the  whole  country  will  be  an  active  and  helpful 
force  in  their  rightful  solution  I  confidently  believe. 
[Great  applause.] 

CXI. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  DINNER  AT  THE  UNION  LEAGUE, 
PHILADELPHIA,  APRIL  27,  1899. 

Mr.  Converse,  Gentlemen  of  the  Union  League : 

I  rise  simply  that  I  may  thank  the  Union  League  for 
its  welcome  and  the  many  manifestations  of  good  will 
which  it  has  shown  to  me.  I  am  specially  glad  to  be 
here  to-day  to  join  with  the  people  of  Philadelphia  in 
honoring  the  great  warrior  who  saved  the  American 
Union.  [Applause.]  If  we  will  always  be  loyal  to  his 
memory  we  shall  always  be  faithful  to  the  Union.  [Ap 
plause.] 

The  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works  does  not  always  fol 
low  the  flag,  but  often  precedes  it  [laughter],  and  I  am 
told  that  its  products  are  everywhere.  [Laughter.]  In 
deed,  the  city  of  Philadelphia  is  getting  everywhere. 
[Laughter.]  It  is  doing  as  the  army  and  navy  have 
been  doing  in  the  last  twelve  months.  [Applause.]  I 
am  told  you  are  about  to  span  the  Nile  with  a  bridge 
built  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  [Applause.] 

I  thank  you  for  your  warm  greeting,  and  I  propose 
the  toast  "Our  Splendid  Army  and  Navy."  [Loud 
applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  201 


CXII. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  ACADEMY  OF  Music,  PHILADELPHIA, 
APRIL  27,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  cannot  add  a  single  word  to  the  just  and  beautiful 
tribute  paid  to  the  great  warrior  by  your  fellow-citizen 
in  this  presence  to-night. 

Half  a  dozen  years  ago  I  was  in  Galena,  delivering 
an  address  at  the  unveiling  of  a  statue  to  General 
Grant,  and  this  story  was  told  to  me :  That  General 
Grant,  then  a  captain  and  out  of  the  service,  presided 
over  their  first  Union  meeting  in  18G1— the  first  meet 
ing  after  the  call  for  volunteers.  The  meeting  was  a 
large  one,  held  in  the  old  court-house,  and  inquiries 
were  made  all  over  the  room  who  it  was  that  was  thus 
called  to  preside  over  that  important  patriotic  assem 
bly.  Some  one  said,  "It  is  Captain  Grant."  "Well, 
who  is  Captain  Grant?  We  never  heard  of  him."  In 
four  years  from  that  time  he  presided  over  the  greatest 
Union  meeting  ever  held  beneath  the  flag,  at  Appomat- 
tox  Court-House,  and  his  name  was  upon  every  lip  [ap 
plause],  and  his  face  was  familiar  to  every  American 
home.  Subsequently  he  was  greeted  by  all  races,  and 
filled  the  whole  world  with  his  fame  as  he  journeyed  in 
the  pathway  of  the  sun.  [Applause.]  He  -was  a  great 
soldier.  Lincoln  issued  the  proclamation  of  emancipa 
tion  ;  but  it  took  the  guns  of  Grant  to  give  life  to  that 
decree.  He  will  be  remembered  for  all  time  and  his 
name  forever  cherished  as  the  soldier  who  preserved 


202  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

the  Union  of  the  States.  He  had  a  sacred  attachment 
for  the  old  soldiers.  The  last  time  that  the  public  ever 
looked  upon  his  face  in  life  was  on  the  occasion  of  the 
parade  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  in  the  city 
of  New  York  only  a  little  while  before  General  Grant's 
death  j  and  against  the  protests  of  his  friends  and  of  his 
physicians  he  was  carried  to  the  window  of  his  house 
for  a  last  look  upon  his  comrades.  [Applause.]  It  was 
a  scene  never  to  be  forgotten,  and  attested  his  undying 
love  for  those  who  had  followed  him  from  Shiloh  to 
Vicksburg  and  Appomattox. 

He  not  only  achieved  great  victories  in  war  and  great 
administrative  triumphs  in  peace,  but  he  was  permitted 
to  do  what  is  given  to  few  men  to  do— to  live  long 
enough  to  write  with  his  own  pen  the  history  he  had 
made  in  command  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States. 
[Applause.]  And  what  a  splendid  history  it  is  !  It  should 
be  read  by  all  the  boys  and  girls  of  the  land,  for  it  tells, 
in  his  just  and  simple  and  honest  but  most  forceful 
way,  the  trials  and  triumphs  and  hopes  of  the  army  over 
which  he  was  supreme  commander.  And  when  he  had 
finished  that  work  he  laid  down  his  pen,  and,  like  a  good 
soldier,  said  to  his  Master,  "Thy  will  be  done."  He 
is  gone  who  was  so  great.  He  brought  the  flag  of  our 
country  back  without  a  single  star  erased ;  and  it  is  a 
glorious  fact  to  know  that  the  Union  which  he  saved 
by  his  sword,  and  the  peace  for  which  he  prayed  in 
his  last  moments,  are  secured.  [Loud  applause.]  It  is 
gratifying  to  us  to  know,  as  lovers  of  the  great  war 
rior,  that  the  men  against  whom  he  fought  in  that 
great  civil  struggle,  and  their  descendants,  carried,  with 
the  men  of  the  North  and  their  descendants,  the  glo 
rious  banner  of  the  free  at  Santiago,  El  Caney,  and  Ma- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  203 

nila  [cheers  and  applause]  5  and  that  we  have  a  Union 
to-day  stronger  and  grander  than  ever  before,  for  it  is 
a  Union  of  hearts,  North  and  Sonth,  a  Union  indissolu 
ble,  and  a  Union  never  to  be  broken.  [Applause.]  The 
flag  which  Grant  and  his  mighty  army  made  glorious 
has  lost  none  of  its  luster  as  it  has  been  carried  by  the 
army  and  navy  of  the  United  States  on  sea  and  land  in 
two  hemispheres.  [Great  cheering.]  So  long  as  we  per 
petuate  in  our  hearts  the  memory  of  Grant,  so  long  will 
this  nation  be  secure  and  enduring.  [Great  applause.] 


CXIII. 

REMARKS  ON  BOARD  THE  U.  S.  S.  "  RALEIGH," 
PHILADELPHIA,  APRIL  28,  1899. 

Captain  Coghlan,  Men  of  the  "  Raleigli "  : 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  bid  you  welcome  home 
and  to  congratulate  you,  and  each  one  of  you,  upon  the 
heroic  part  you  bore  in  the  great  battle  on  the  1st  of 
May  at  Manila,  which  was  a  most  glorious  triumph  to 
American  arms,  and  made  a  new  and  glorious  page  in 
American  history.  I  assure  you  that  when  I  give  you 
welcome  I  am  only  speaking  the  heart's  welcome  of 
seventy-five  millions  of  American  citizens,  who  honor 
you  all  for  your  splendid  services  to  our  country.  This 
feeling  not  only  extends  to  your  great  admiral,  whom 
we  all  love  and  honor,  but  to  the  humblest  member  of 
the  crew  who  was  in  that  great  fleet  at  Manila  Bay. 

I  give  you  all  warm  and  generous  welcome  and  my 
thanks. 


204:  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CXIV. 

SPEECH  AT  HARRISONBURG,  VIRGINIA,  MAY  20,  1899. 

Fellow-Citizens : 

The  very  warm  and  generous  welcome  which  has  been 
extended  on  your  behalf  by  Colonel  Roller  is  altogether 
an  unexpected  pleasure,  and  all  the  more  appreciated, 
for  in  passing  so  rapidly  through  your  valley  I  had 
no  thought  that  I  would  be  thus  greeted  by  the  people 
of  Rockingham  County.  I  am  glad,  my  fellow-citizens, 
to  look  upon  your  beautiful  valley  once  more— one  of 
the  richest  and  most  attractive  in  our  great  country. 
It  is  a  rich  heritage  you  possess  and  enjoy. 

I  heartily  join  with  your  speaker  in  congratulations 
upon  a  reunited  country.  [Applause.]  We  are  now 
happily  one  in  purpose  and  one  in  patriotism.  [Pro 
longed  applause.] 

I  congratulate  you  upon  the  evidences  of  prosperity 
that  I  see  at  every  hand.  It  is  a  common  prosperity, 
participated  in  by  both  the  North  and  the  South.  [Ap 
plause.] 

It  now  rests  upon  us  and  those  who  follow  us  to  see 
to  it  that  this  Union  of  States  established  by  the  fathers, 
representing  liberty  and  justice,  representing  the  highest 
opportunities  and  blessings,  "  shall  not  perish  from  the 
earth."  [Cheers.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  205 


cxv. 

SPEECH  ON  THE  OCCASION  OF  THE  CONFERRING  OF 
THE  DEGREE  OF  DOCTOR  OF  CIVIL  LAW  AT  MOUNT 
HOLYOKE  COLLEGE,  SOUTH  HADLEY,  MASSACHUSETTS, 
JUNE  20,  1899. 

j\Irs.  Mead,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

In  this  presence  I  cannot  refrain  from  making 
acknowledgment  of  the  very  distinguished  honor  which 
the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the  officers  of  this  institution 
have  been  pleased  to  confer  upon  me.  I  want  to  assure 
the  young  ladies  of  the  graduating  class  that  I  am  both 
delighted  and  honored  to  be  a  member  of  the  class  of 
?99.  [Applause.] 

Massachusetts  has  been  and  is  favored  in  many 
things,  but  in  nothing  more  than  in  her  educational 
institutions.  I  count  myself  most  fortunate  to  have 
been  privileged  yesterday  to  look  upon  the  faces  of  the 
graduates  of  Smith  College,  that  splendid  institution 
for  the  education  of  women.  And  I  count  myself 
most  fortunate  to-day  to  look  upon  the  faces  of  the 
graduates  of  this  historic  institution  that  has  done  so 
much  for  the  exaltation  of  womanhood,  and  whose  influ 
ence  is  felt,  not  alone  in  Massachusetts,  but  in  every 
part  of  our  common  country — Mount  Holyoke,  more 
than  sixty  years  old  to-day !  And  its  influence  in 
molding  and  shaping  the  citizenship  of  the  nation 
can  never  be  told.  I  am  glad  that  we  are  demonstrating 
in  the  United  States  to-day  that  the  boy  should  have 
no  more  advantage  than  the  girl  [applause] ;  and  Mount 


206  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Holyoke  and  Smith,  and  a  half-dozen  other  institutions 
of  the  land,  are  demonstrating  that  fact.  Educated 
womanhood  is  an  open  school  for  citizenship  every  day 
of  the  year,  and  the  home  is  the  training-school  for 
the  author  and  the  soldier  and  the  statesman. 

I  wish  for  this  graduating  class  every  good  thing,  and 
I  want  you  to  be  assured  that  all  good  things  wait  upon 
a  pure  and  noble  womanhood.  [Applause.] 


CXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  SPRINGFIELD,  MASSACHUSETTS, 
JUNE  21,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  desire  to  express  the  very  great  pleasure  I  have  had 
in  the  generous  welcome  extended  to  me  by  the  people 
of  the  city  of  Springfield. 

This  would  be  a  good  time  for  Springfield  to  take  a 
census.  [Applause  and  laughter.]  I  am  prepared  for 
any  ascertained  population  your  enumerators  may  find 
this  year.  [Applause.]  I  have  been  glad  during  the 
day  to  witness  the  devotion  of  your  people,  old  and 
young,  to  the  flag  that  all  of  us  love  [applause  and 
cheers] ;  to  meet  the  veterans  of  '61  and  '65,  who  carried 
that  flag  to  honor  and  glory  [applause  and  cheers] ; 
and  to  meet  the  members  of  the  gallant  Second 
Massachusetts,  who  carried  that  flag  and  brought  it 
back  with  added  glory  from  the  fields  of  Santiago. 
[Applause.]  I  was  glad  to  see  the  colors  of  the  old 
banner  in  the  hands  of  the  ten  thousand  school-children 
of  the  city  of  Springfield.  [Applause  and  cheers.]  It 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  207 

represents  to-day  more  than  it  ever  did  before.  It 
does  not  stand  for  despotism — it  stands  for  peace  and 
progress  and  liberty  and  law  and  kindly  government 
wherever  its  sacred  folds  float.  [Cheers.] 

I  thank  you  for  this  reception,  and,  being  unable  to 
shake  hands  with  all  of  you,  I  reluctantly  bid  you  good- 
by.  [Prolonged  cheering.] 


CXVIL 

SPEECH  AT  THE  RECEPTION  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY 
POST,  ADAMS,  MASSACHUSETTS,  JUNE  24,  1899. 

Comrades  of  the  Grand  Army : 

While  we  are  all  getting  older  and  grayer,  I  discover 
that  your  voices  are  quite  as  strong  as  they  were  in  -'61 
and  '65.  [Cheers.]  You  cheer  now  very  much  as  you 
cheered  then.  I  cannot  forbear  congratulating  you  upon 
this  beautiful  room  in  which  you  hold  your  post  meet 
ings.  I  think  there  are  very  few  post-rooms  in  the 
country  more  accessible  or  more  comfortable  than  the 
one  which  you  are  privileged  to  occupy.  I  am  glad  to 
recall  the  fact  that  two  years  ago  I  assisted  my  comrades 
here  in  laying  the  corner-stone  of  this  Memorial  Library 
building.  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  completion  of 
the  structure.  [Loud  cheering  and  applause.] 


208  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  ADAMS,  MASSACHUSETTS,  JUNE  26,  1899. 

My  Fellow-  Citizens : 

I  am  always  glad  to  come  to  Adams,  and  always  regret 
going  away.  While  I  leave  you  regretfully,  I  go  with 
the  hope  of  an  early  visit  among  you  again.  [Cheers.] 

It  has  been  a  great  pleasure  to  me  to  note  the  prog 
ress  you  have  made  since  I  first  visited  you  seven 
years  ago.  I  was  here  then  to  participate  in  the  open 
ing  of  one  of  your  great  mills.  I  rejoice  to  know  that 
another  one  of  like  size  was  added  a  few  years  later, 
and  it  gave  me  uncommon  gratification  this  morning  to 
take  part  in  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  still 
another,  which  is  to  be  larger  than  any  that  have  pre 
ceded  it.  [Applause  and  cheers.]  This  means  work 
and  wages ;  and  work  and  wages  mean  happy  homes 
and  happy  firesides ;  and  happy  homes  and  happy  fire 
sides  make  a  good  community,  good  citizens,  and  a 
great  country.  [Prolonged  cheering.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  209 


CXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  CATHOLIC  SUMMER  SCHOOL,  CLIFF 
HAVEN,  NEW  YORK,  AUGUST  15,  1899. 

Father  Lavelle,  Members  of  the  Catholic  Summer  School, 
Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  had  not  intended  to  say  a  word,  but  I  cannot  sit  in 
silence  in  the  presence  of  this  demonstration  of  your 
good  will  and  patriotism.  I  cannot  forbear  to  give  ex 
pression  of  my  very  high  appreciation  of  the  welcome 
you  have  given  me  here  to-day,  and  the  kindly  words 
of  commendation  uttered  by  your  president. 

Whatever  the  government  of  the  United  States  has 
been  able  to  accomplish  since  I  last  met  you  in  this 
audience-chamber  has  been  accomplished  because  the 
hearts  of  the  people  have  been  with  it.  [Applause.] 
Our  patriotism  is  neither  sectional  nor  sectarian.  [Ap 
plause.]  We  may  differ  in  our  political  and  religi 
ous  beliefs,  but  we  are  united  for  country.  [Applause.] 
Loyalty  to  the  government  is  our  national  creed.  We 
follow,  all  of  us,  one  flag.  [Applause.]  It  symbo 
lizes  our  purposes  and  our  aspirations;  it  represents 
what  we  believe  and  what  we  mean  to  maintain ;  and 
wherever  it  floats,  it  is  the  flag  of  the  free  [prolonged 
applause],  the  hope  of  the  oppressed;  and  wherever 
it  is  assailed,  at  any  sacrifice,  it  will  be  carried  to  a 
triumphant  peace.  [Tremendous  applause,  long  con 
tinued.]  We  have  more  flags  here  than  we  ever  had 
before.  [Applause.]  They  are  in  evidence  everywhere. 
I  saw  them  carried  by  the  little  ones  on  your  lawn. 

14 


210  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

[Applause.]  That  flag  floats  from  the  homes  of  the 
millions;  even  from  our  places  of  worship,  from  our 
school-houses,  from  the  shops  and  the  factories,  from 
the  mining  towns ;  and  it  waves  from  the  camp  of  the 
pioneer  on  the  distant  outpost,  and  on  the  lumberman's 
hut  in  the  dense  forest.  It  is  found  in  the  home  of  the 
humblest  toiler,  and  what  it  represents  is  dear  to  his 
heart.  Rebellion  may  delay,  but  it  can  never  defeat 
its  blessed  mission  of  liberty  and  humanity.  [Long-con 
tinued  applause  and  cheers.] 


cxx. 

SPEECH  AT  OCEAN  GROVE,  NEW  JERSEY, 
AUGUST  25,  1899. 

Bishop  Fitzgerald,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

Words  seem  very  poor  to  express  my  appreciation 
of  your  kindly  welcome.  I  have  come  to  pay  my 
respects  to  the  Ocean  Grove  Association,  and  to  thank 
it  for  the  magnificent  work  it  has  done  in  the  past, 
and  for  the  still  greater  work  which  it  will  accomplish 
in  the  future.  Piety  and  patriotism  go  well  together. 
[Applause.]  Love  of  flag,  love  of  country,  are  not  in 
consistent  with  our  religious  faith;  and  I  think  we 
have  more  love  for  our  country  and  more  people  love 
our  flag  than  ever  before.  [Great  applause.]  And  what 
that  flag  has  done  for  us  we  want  it  to  do  for  all  peo 
ples  and  all  lands  which,  by  the  fortunes  of  war,  may 
come  within  its  jurisdiction.  [Prolonged  applause.] 
That  flag  does  not  mean  one  thing  in  the  United 
States  and  another  thing  in  Porto  Rico  and  the  Philip- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  211 

pines.  [Applause.]  There  has  been  doubt  expressed 
in  some  quarters  as  to  the  purpose  of  the  government 
respecting  the  Philippines.  I  can  see  no  harm  in 
stating  it  in  this  presence.  [Applause.]  Peace  first 
[loud  applause]  j  then,  with  charity  for  all,  the  estab 
lishment  of  a  government  of  law  and  order  [applause], 
protecting  life  and  property  and  occupation  for  the 
well-being  of  the  people,  in  which  they  will  participate 
under  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  [Prolonged  applause.] 

I  have  said  more  than  I  intended  to,  and  I  only  want 
to  express,  in  conclusion,  the  pleasure  it  has  given  me 
to  look  into  the  faces  of  this  great  assembly  of  Metho 
dists  [applause],  and  to  receive  your  cordial  greetings. 
[Great  applause.] 

CXXI. 

ADDRESS  BEFORE  THE  TENTH  PENNSYLVANIA  REGIMENT, 
UNITED  STATES  VOLUNTEERS,  SCHENLEY  PARK,  PITTS- 
BURG,  AUGUST  28,  1899. 

Governor  Stone  and  my  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  am  glad  to  participate  with  the  families,  friends, 
and  fellow-citizens  of  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Volun 
teers  in  this  glad  reunion. 

You  have  earned  the  plaudits,  not  alone  of  the  people 
of  Pennsylvania,  but  of  the  whole  nation.  Your  return 
has  been  the  signal  for  a  great  demonstration  of  popu 
lar  regard  from  your  landing  at  the  Golden  Gate  on  the 
Pacific  to  your  home-coining;  and  here  you  find  a 
warmth  of  welcome  and  a  greeting  from  joyous  hearts 
which  tell  better  than  words  the  estimate  of  your 
countrymen,  and  their  high  appreciation  of  the  services 


212  SPEECHES  AND  ADDKESSES 

you  have  rendered  the  country.  You  made  secure  and 
permanent  the  victory  of  Dewey.  [Great  applause.]  You 
added  new  glory  to  American  arms.  You  and  your 
brave  comrades  engaged  on  other  fields  of  conflict  have 
enlarged  the  map  of  the  United  States  and  extended 
the  jurisdiction  of  American  liberty.  [Continued  great 
applause.] 

But  while  we  share  in  the  joy  that  is  yours,  there 
remain  with  us  softened  and  hallowed  memories  of 
those  who  went  forth  with  you,  not  found  in  your 
ranks  to-day.  Your  noble  colonel,  devoted  to  his  men, 
beloved  by  his  command,  and  respected  by  his  superior 
officers,  gave  his  life  to  his  country,  with  many  others 
of  his  comrades.  The  nation  sorrows  with  the  bereaved. 
These  heroes  died  for  their  country,  and  there  is  no 
nobler  death. 

Our  troops  represented  the  courage  and  conscience, 
the  purpose  and  patriotism,  of  their  country.  Whether 
in  Cuba,  Porto  Rico,  or  the  Philippines,  or  at  home 
awaiting  orders,  they  did  their  full  duty,  and  all  sought 
the  post  of  greatest  peril.  They  never  faltered.  The 
Eighth  Army-Corps  in  the  Philippines  has  made  a 
proud  and  exceptional  record.  Privileged  to  be  mustered 
out  in  April,  when  the  ratifications  of  the  treaty  of 
peace  were  exchanged,  they  did  not  claim  the  privilege— 
they  declined  it.  They  voluntarily  remained  in  the  ser 
vice,  and  declared  their  purpose  to  stay  until  their 
places  could  be  filled  by  new  levies,  and  longer  if  the 
government  needed  them.  Their  service— and  they 
understood  it — was  not  to  be  in  camp  or  garrison,  free 
from  danger,  but  on  the  battle-line,  where  exposure 
and  death  confronted  them,  and  where  both  have 
exacted  their  victims. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  213 

They  did  not  stack  arms.  They  did  not  run  away. 
They  were  not  serving  the  insurgents  in  the  Philip 
pines  or  their  sympathizers  at  home.  [Prolonged  ap 
plause.]  They  had  no  part  or  patience  with  the  men, 
few  in  number,  happily,  who  would  have  rejoiced  to  see 
them  lay  down  their  arms  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy 
whom  they  had  just  emancipated  from  Spanish  rule, 
and  wrho  should  have  been  our  firmest  friend. 

They  furnished  an  example  of  devotion  and  sacrifice 
which  will  brighten  the  glorious  record  of  American 
valor.  They  have  secured  not  alone  the  gratitude  of 
the  government  and  the  people,  but  for  themselves  and 
their  descendants  an  imperishable  distinction.  They 
may  not  fully  appreciate,  and  the  country  may  not,  the 
heroism  of  their  conduct  and  its  important  support  to 
the  government.  I  think  I  do,  and  so  I  am  here  to 
express  it.  [Applause.] 

The  mighty  army  of  volunteers  and  regulars,  number 
ing  over  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand,  which  last 
year  responded  to  the  call  of  the  government  with  an 
alacrity  without  precedent  or  parallel,  by  the  terms  of 
their  enlistment  were  to  be  mustered  out,  with  all  of  the 
regulars  above  twenty-seven  thousand,  when  peace  with 
Spain  was  effected.  Peace  brought  us  the  Philippines, 
by  treaty  cession  from  Spain.  The  Senate  of  the  United 
States  ratified  the  treaty.  Every  step  taken  was  in 
obedience  to  the  requirements  of  the  Constitution. 
There  was  no  flaw  in  the  title,  and  no  doubtful  methods 
were  employed  to  obtain  it.  [Great  applause.]  It  be 
came  our  territory,  and  is  ours  as  much  as  the  Louisiana 
Purchase,  or  Texas,  or  Alaska.  A  body  of  insurgents, 
in  no  sense  representing  the  sentiment  of  the  people  of 
the  islands,  disputed  our  lawful  authority,  and  even  be- 


214  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

fore  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  by  the  American 
Senate  were  attacking  the  very  forces  who  fought  for 
and  secured  their  freedom 

This  was  the  situation  in  April,  1899,  the  date  of  the 
exchange  of  ratifications— only  twenty-seven  thousand 
regulars  subject  to  the  unquestioned  direction  of  the 
Executive,  and  they  for  the  most  part  on  duty  in  Cuba 
and  Porto  Rico,  or  invalided  at  home  after  their  severe 
campaign  in  the  tropics.  Even  had  they  been  available, 
it  would  have  required  months  to  transport  them  to  the 
Philippines.  Practically  a  new  army  had  to  be  created. 
These  loyal  volunteers  in  the  Philippines  said:  "We 
will  stay  until  the  government  can  organize  an  army  at 
home  and  transport  it  to  the  seat  of  hostilities." 

They  did  stay,  cheerfully,  uncomplainingly,  patriot 
ically.  They  suffered  and  sacrificed,  they  fought  and 
fell,  they  drove  back  and  punished  the  rebels  who  re 
sisted  federal  authority,  and  who  with  force  attacked  the 
sovereignty  of  the  United  States  in  its  newly  acquired 
territory.  Without  them  then  and  there  we  would  have 
been  practically  helpless  on  land,  our  flag  would  have 
had  its  first  stain,  and  the  American  name  its  first 
ignominy.  The  brilliant  victories  of  the  army  and  navy 
in  the  bay  and  city  of  Manila  would  have  been  won  in 
vain,  our  obligations  to  civilization  would  have  remained 
temporarily  unperformed,  chaos  would  have  reigned, 
and  whatever  government  there  was  would  have  been 
by  the  will  of  one  man,  and  not  with  the  consent  of  the 
governed.  Who  refused  to  sound  the  retreat?  Who 
stood  in  the  breach  when  others  weakened?  Who  re 
sisted  the  suggestion  of  the  unpatriotic  that  they  should 
come  home  ? 

Let  me  call  the  roll  of  honor— let  me  name  the  regi- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  215 

ments  and  battalions  that  deserve  to  be  perpetuated  in 
the  nation's  annals.  Their  action  was  not  a  sudden 
impulse  born  of  excitement,  but  a  deliberate  determina 
tion  to  sustain,  at  the  cost  of  life,  if  need  be,  the  honor 
of  their  government  and  the  authority  of  its  flag. 

First  California,  California  Artillery,  First  Colorado, 
First  Idaho,  Fifty-first  Iowa,  Twentieth  Kansas,  Thir 
teenth  Minnesota,  First  Montana,  First  Nebraska,  First 
North  Dakota,  Nevada  Cavalry,  Second  Oregon,  Tenth 
Pennsylvania,  First  South  Dakota,  First  Tennessee, 
Utah  Artillery,  First  Washington,  First  Wyoming, 
Wyoming  Battery,  First,  Eighteenth,  and  Nineteenth 
Companies  Volunteer  Signal  Corps.  [Enthusiastic  ap 
plause.] 

To  these  must  be  added  about  four  thousand  enlisted 
men  of  the  regular  army,  who  were  entitled  to  their  dis 
charge  under  the  peace  proclamation  of  April  11,  1899, 
the  greater  portion  of  whom  participated  in  the  engage 
ments  of  the  Eighth  Corps,  and  are  still  performing 
arduous  services  in  the  field.  [Continued  applause.] 

Nor  must  the  navy  be  forgotten.  Sixty-five  devoted 
sailors  participated  in  the  engagement  of  May  I  in  Manila 
Bay  whose  terms  of  service  had  previously  expired,  con 
tinuing  on  duty  quite  a  year  after  that  action.  [Con 
tinued  applause.] 

For  these  men  of  the  army  and  navy  we  have  only 
honor  and  gratitude. 

The  world  will  never  know  the  restraint  of  our  sol 
diers—their  self-control  under  the  most  exasperating 
conditions.  For  weeks  subjected  to  the  insults  and 
duplicity  of  the  insurgent  leaders,  they  preserved  the 
status  quo,  remembering  that  they  were  under  an  order 
from  their  government  sacredly  to  observe  the  terms  of 


216  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

the  protocol  in  letter  and  spirit,  and  avoid  all  conflict, 
except  in  defense,  pending  the  negotiations  of  the  treaty 
of  peace.  They  were  not  the  aggressors.  They  did  not 
begin  hostilities  against  the  insurgents  pending  the 
ratification  of  the  treaty  of  peace  in  the  Senate,  great 
as  was  their  justification,  because  their  orders  from 
"Washington  forbade  it.  I  take  all  the  responsibility  for 
that  direction.  Otis  only  executed  the  orders  of  his 
government,  and  the  soldiers,  under  great  provocation 
to  strike  back,  obeyed.  [Great  applause.] 

Until  the  treaty  was  ratified  we  had  no  authority 
beyond  Manila  city,  bay,  and  harbor.  We  then  had  no 
other  title  to  defend,  no  authority  beyond  that  to  main 
tain.  Spain  was  still  in  possession  of  the  remainder  of 
the  archipelago.  Spain  had  sued  for  peace.  The  truce 
and  treaty  were  not  concluded.  The  first  blow  was 
struck  by  the  insurgents,  and  it  was  a  foul  blow.  Our 
kindness  was  reciprocated  with  cruelty,  our  mercy  with 
a  Mauser.  The  flag  of  truce  was  invoked  only  to  be 
dishonored.  Our  soldiers  were  shot  down  while  minis 
tering  to  the  wounded  Filipinos,  our  dead  were  muti 
lated  ;  our  humanity  was  interpreted  as  weakness,  our 
forbearance  as  cowardice. 

They  assailed  our  sovereignty ;  and  there  will  be  no 
useless  parley,  no  pause,  until  the  insurrection  is  sup 
pressed,  and  American  authority  acknowledged  and 
established.  [Enthusiastic  and  long-continued  applause.] 
The  misguided  followers  in  rebellion  have  only  our 
charity  and  pity.  As  to  the  ciuel  leaders  who  have 
needlessly  sacrificed  the  lives  of  thousands  of  their 
people,  at  the  cost  of  some  of  our  best  blood,  for  the 
gratification  of  their  own  ambitious  designs,  I  will  leave 
to  others  the  ungracious  task  of  justification  and  eulogy. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  217 

Every  one  of  the  noble  men,  of  the  regulars  or  volun 
teers,  soldiers  or  seamen,  who  thus  signally  served  their 
country  in  its  extremity,  deserves  the  special  recogni 
tion  of  Congress,  and  it  will  be  to  me  an  unfeigned  plea 
sure  to  recommend  for  each  of  them  a  special  medal  of 
honor.  [Great  applause.] 

Men  of  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania,  while  we  give  you 
hail  and  greeting  from  overflowing  hearts,  we  do  not 
forget,  nor  will  you,  the  brave  men  who  remain  and 
those  who  have  gone  forward  to  take  your  places,  and 
those  other  brave  men  who  have  so  promptly  volun 
teered,  crowding  each  other  to  get  to  the  front,  to  carry 
forward  to  successful  completion  the  work  you  so  nobly 
began  and  so  faithfully  prosecuted.  Our  prayers  go 
with  them,  and  more  men  and  munitions,  if  required 
[great  applause],  for  the  speedy  suppression  of  the  re 
bellion,  the  establishment  of  peace  and  tranquillity,  and 
a  government  under  the  undisputed  sovereignty  of  the 
United  States  [continued  applause]  —  a  government 
which  will  do  justice  to  all,  and  at  once  encourage  the 
best  efforts  and  aspirations  of  these  distant  people  and 
the  highest  development  of  their  rich  and  fertile  lands. 

The  government  to  which  you  gave  your  love  and 
loyalty  welcomes  you  to  your  homes.  With  no  blot  or 
stain  upon  your  record,  the  story  of  your  unselfish  ser 
vice  to  country  and  to  civilization  will  be,  to  the  men 
who  take  your  places  at  the  front  and  on  the  firing- 
line,  and  to  future  generations,  an  example  of  patriotism 
and  an  inspiration  to  duty.  [Great  and  prolonged  ap 
plause.] 


218  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

CXXII. 

SPEECH  AT  EAST  LIVERPOOL,  OHIO,  AUGUST  28,  1899. 

My  Felloiv-Citizens : 

I  am  delighted  with  the  greeting  extended  by  the 
citizens  of  East  Liverpool  this  evening,  and  assure 
you  that  it  is  a  great  pleasure  to  be  here  again  among 
so  many  of  my  good  friends. 

East  Liverpool  has  made  great  strides  in  recent  years. 
I  think  Colonel  Taylor  is  a  little  conservative,  but  he 
puts  the  population  now  at  twenty  thousand.  I  con 
gratulate  you  upon  your  marvelous  growth  and  your 
unquestioned  prosperity.  I  remember  a  few  years  ago 
to  have  told  you  that  you  were  growing  so  much  that 
you  were  pushing  back  the  hills  about  you.  You  are  now 
covering  these  same  hills  with  your  residences,  and  you 
are  expanding  so  greatly  that  Ohio  is  no  longer  big 
enough  for  you,  and  you  are  going  over  to  West  Vir 
ginia.  [Applause.]  A  fine  bridge  now  spans  the  river, 
and  I  am  told  you  are  building  happy  homes  on  the 
other  side. 

I  congratulate  you,  my  fellow-citizens,  upon  the 
condition  of  the  country.  I  congratulate  you  not 
only  upon  its  prosperity,  but  also  upon  its  patriot 
ism.  "We  never  had  so  much  patriotism  in  the 
United  States  as  we  have  to-day.  We  never  had  so 
many  people  loving  our  country  and  its  flag  as  we 
have  to-day,  and  that  flag  is  dearer  to  us  than  it  ever 
was  before.  [Great  applause.]  I  do  not  forget,  when, 
during  the  last  year,  we  went  to  war  with  Spain,  the 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  219 

generous  response  of  the  country,  two  hundred  thou 
sand  of  our  best  young  men  volunteering  their  services 
to  fight,  and  die  if  need  be,  for  the  honor  of  our  flag 
[applause]  and  its  integrity  everywhere.  Nor  can  I 
forget  that  this  city  of  East  Liverpool  contributed  one 
of  the  companies  to  the  gallant  Eighth  Ohio,  that  did 
service  in  front  of  Santiago.  [Applause.] 

Having  said  this,  and  grateful  to  you  for  this  re 
ception,— for  I  assure  you  that  coming  to  East  Liver 
pool  awakens  tender  and  sweet  and  pleasant  memories, 
and  looking  into  your  faces  touches  my  very  heart 
strings,— having  said  this  much,  and  wishing  for  you 
at  all  times  all  good  things,  I  bid  you  good  night. 
[Long-continued  applause.] 


CXXIII. 
SPEECH  AT  EAST  LIVERPOOL,  OHIO,  AUGUST  29,  1899. 

j\fy  Fellow-Citizens : 

In  this  presence  I  feel  quite  incapable  of  making  a 
fitting  response  to  the  gracious  expressions  extended  on 
your  behalf  by  your  representative  in  Congress  [Repre 
sentative  Tayler].  If  anything  would  make  me  forget  my 
fatigue,  it  would  be  this  friendly  greeting,  which  I  know 
is  straight  from  the  heart.  I  cannot  stand  here  even  for 
a  moment  to  give  utterance  to  words  of  appreciation  of 
this  kindly  reception,  without  recalling  that  from  this 
very  place,  year  in  and  year  out,  I  was  in  the  habit  of 
meeting  this  people,  and  they  were  kind  enough  always 
to  give  me  generous  welcome.  [Applause.]  This  city, 
through  all  the  years  of  the  past,  has  been  faithful  and 


220  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

firm  in  its  friendship  for  me.  Although  I  have  been 
absent  from  you  for  now  more  than  four  years,  that 
friendship  has  never  been  diminished,  and  my  interest 
in  you,  in  your  city,  in  your  prosperity,  in  your  home 
life,  in  the  young  men  and  the  young  women,  in  the  boys 
and  the  girls,  has  never  abated.  [Applause.]  I  come  back 
here  finding  your  city  growing,  constant  improvements 
being  made,  until  I  have  come  to  believe  that  the  people 
of  East  Liverpool  are  in  favor  of  expansion.  [Laughter 
and  great  applause.] 

But  I  came  here  for  rest,  and  not  to  speak,  and  I 
know  you  will  excuse  me  from  any  further  words,  and 
permit  me  to  bid  you  all  good  night.  [Prolonged  ap 
plause.] 

CXXIV. 

REMARKS  AT  CANTON,  OHIO,  AUGUST  30,  1899. 

Judge  Baldwin  and  my  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  appear  only  for  a  moment  that  I  may  give  expres 
sion  to  my  appreciation  of  the  welcome  which  you  have 
extended  to  me  to-day.  After  all,  there  is  no  place  like 
home.  And  this  is  my  home.  Here  thirty -two  or  thirty- 
three  years  ago  I  commenced  my  professional  life.  Here 
have  been  formed  some  of  the  most  tender  and  sacred 
associations.  Some  of  them,  indeed,  have  been  severed, 
but  this  is  the  seat  and  the  center  of  my  memory. 

Heretofore,  for  nearly  a  third  of  a  century,  you  have 
given  me  kindly  greeting,  words  of  encouragement,  and 
showered  upon  me  honor  after  honor,  all  undeserved, 
and  I  appear  before  you  now  only  to  express  what  is  in 
my  heart :  that  I  am  glad  to  see  you  j  glad  to  meet 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  221 

to  look  into  your  faces  once  again,  and  feel  the  inspira 
tion  of  your  approval.     [Loud  and  prolonged  applause.] 


cxxv. 

SPEECH  AT  CANTON,  OHIO,  AUGUST  30,  1899. 

Captain  Fisher,  Officers  and  Members  of  the  Eighth  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  my  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  meet  you  once  more  in 
this  dear  old  town.  I  have  appreciated  during  the  day 
the  warmth  of  welcome  and  the  heartiness  of  greeting 
which  have  been  accorded  to  me  by  my  old  neighbors  and 
friends. 

I  do  not  forget,  as  I  stand  in  this  presence,  sur 
rounded  by  these  brave  boys,  that  this  old  county  of 
Stark  was  prompt  in  responding  to  the  call  of  the  govern 
ment  for  soldiers  in  this  war  with  Spain.  I  do  not  for 
get  the  alacrity  with  which  they  volunteered,  and  I  have 
always  been  proud  of  the  fact,  for  I  noted  it  with  great 
satisfaction,  that  this  county  furnished  quite  as  many 
soldiers,  according  to  its  population,  as  any  other  county 
in  the  United  States.  [Applause.] 

You  have  won  and  earned  the  nation's  gratitude  and 
praise.  You  did  your  full  duty  in  front  of  Santiago ; 
and  no  higher  honor  can  be  paid  to  the  soldier  of  any 
country  than  to  say  of  him  that  he  did  his  whole  duty. 
[Applause.] 

You  were  more  fortunate  than  many  of  your  com 
rades.  You  got  to  the  seat  of  hostilities.  But  every 
one  of  the  two  hundred  thousand  splendid  young  men 
who  volunteered  for  that  war  was  anxious  to  get  to  the 
front  and  at  the  place  of  greatest  danger. 


222  SPEECHES  AND  ADDEESSES 

I  am  glad  to  meet  my  fellow-citizens  here  to-night.  I 
am  thankful  to  them  for  the  good  will  which  is  mani 
fested  by  their  presence ;  and  I  shall  go  away  from  my 
city  and  my  home  strengthened  for  the  great  duties  and 
responsibilities  of  the  Executive  office,  and  sustained 
and  encouraged  by  the  kindly  expressions  of  my  warm 
hearted  friends  here.  [Great  applause.] 


CXXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  G.  A.  R.  ENCAMPMENT,  PHILADELPHIA, 
SEPTEMBER  5,  1899. 

Comrades  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic : 

It  has  given  me  great  pleasure  to  be  associated  with 
you  to-day.  I  have  been  deeply  touched  by  many  of  the 
scenes  which  all  of  us  witnessed.  With  the  joyous  thought 
at  the  glad  reunion  of  old  comrades  who  had  fought 
side  by  side  in  a  common  cause  and  for  a  common 
country,  there  was  that  other  saddened  thought  that  so 
many  of  our  comrades,  who,  two  years  ago  only,  had  so 
proudly  marched  with  you  through  the  city  of  Buffalo, 
were  no  longer  in  your  ranks.  The  circle  is  narrowing 
as  the  years  roll  on.  One  after  another  at  our  annual 
reunions  is  not  present,  but  accounted  for.  He  has 
gone  to  join  the  great  majority  of  our  comrades. 

But  with  it  all,  my  comrades,  as  I  witnessed  to-day 
the  vast  procession  of  old  veterans,  and  heard  the 
plaudits  of  the  people,  I  could  not  but  ask  the  ques 
tion:  "What  has  endeared  this  vast  army  to  the 
American  people?  what  has  enshrined  you  in  their 
hearts?  what  has  given  you  permanent  and  irnperish- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  223 

able  place  in  their  history?"  And  the  answer  comes 
that  you  saved  the  nation.  [Applause.]  It  was  because 
you  did  something ;  aye,  you  sacrificed  something.  You 
were  willing  to  give  up  your  lives  for  civilization  and 
liberty —not  for  the  civilization  and  liberty  of  the  hour, 
but  for  a  civilization  and  liberty  for  all  ages.  [Ap 
plause.] 

That  has  given  you  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  Ameri 
can  people,  and  I  was,  therefore,  not  surprised  to  hear 
from  our  comrade,  who  made  the  response  to  the  wel 
come  of  the  State  and  the  city,  that,  from  the  time  they 
journeyed  from  their  homes  in  the  far  West  until  they 
reached  this  city,  the  comrades  were  everywhere  cheered 
by  the  American  people. 

Great  deeds  never  die  [applause],  and  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  is  to  be  congratulated  to-night  that  the 
Union  which  it  saved,  by  the  peace  which  it  secured  at 
Appomattox  Court-house,  is  the  Union  formed  more 
than  a  century  ago ;  and  that  that  Union  is  stronger, 
better,  and  dearer  to  the  American  people  than  ever. 
[Tremendous  applause.] 

We  are  once  more  and  forever  one  people  [applause], 
one  in  faith,  one  in  purpose,  one  in  willingness  to  sacri 
fice  for  the  honor  of  the  country  and  the  glory  of  our 
flag.  [Applause.] 

The  Blue  and  the  Gray  march  under  one  flag.  [Ap 
plause.]  We  have  but  one  flag  now,  "the  same  our 
grandsires  lifted  up,  the  same  our  fathers  bore" — that 
flag  which  you  kept  stainless  and  made  triumphant. 
[Immense  applause.] 

I  may  be  pardoned  for  saying  in  this  presence  that 
this  has  been  one  of  the  happiest  days  of  my  life. 
[Applause.]  I  sat  looking  into  the  faces  of  my  old  com- 


224  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

rades.  They  are  getting  a  little  too  old  for  war,  I  think. 
[Laughter  and  cries  of  "  No !  "]  They  are  all  right, 
though  [applause]  5  and  I  may  say  that  during  last  sum 
mer  and  this  year  we  were  able  to  gather,  through  the 
example  of  your  patriotism  and  the  inspiration  of  your 
example,  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  of  the  best 
young  men  of  the  United  States.  [Great  applause.] 


CXXVII. 

SPEECH  AT  BANQUET  OF  MEADE,  LAFAYETTE,  AND 
KINSLEY  POSTS,  G.  A.  R,  PHILADELPHIA,  SEPTEMBER 
5,  1899. 

My  Friends : 

I  did  not  expect  to  make  a  speech  to-night,  and  I  only 
rise  that  I  may  express  my  gratification  at  being  one 
of  the  guests  of  three  great  Grand  Army  posts  of  the 
United  States— Meade,  Lafayette,  and  Kinsley.  It  has 
given  me  genuine  pleasure  to  greet  so  many  of  my  old 
comrades  in  this  city  of  historic  memories  and  patriotic 
endeavors  j  but  I  assure  you  that  all  of  the  goodness 
and  greatness  of  Philadelphia  are  not  in  the  past. 

As  I  passed  through  the  Avenue  of  Fame  to-day  I 
could  not  but  reflect  what  a  volume  of  history  it  portrays. 
Histories  of  the  war,  the  achievements  of  the  army  as 
well  as  of  the  navy,  were  all  made  manifest  by  the 
names  of  those  who  had  been  leaders  in  that  great 
struggle  in  both  branches  of  the  service.  Our  great 
commander  was  there,  Ulysses  S.  Grant  [applause], 
and  Sherman  and  Sheridan  and  Meade  [applause] 
and  Farragut.  [Applause.]  And  not  only,  in  that 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  225 

gallery  of  heroes,  did  I  find  great  captains  and  soldiers 
of  the  army,  but  you  went  further  and  remembered  the 
men  behind  the  guns.  [Applause.] 

We  have  told  the  story  of  the  heroism  and  sacrifices 
and  the  matchless  achievements  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  of  which  we  are  all  proud.  I  thank  you, 
members  of  the  three  posts,  for  permitting  me  to  stay 
at  your  table  to-night,  but  I  do  not  wish  to  talk.  The 
Secretary  of  War  is  here ;  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture 
is  here ;  the  president  of  Cornell  University,  who  is 
president  of  the  Philippine  Commission,  is  here  from 
Manila;  and  here,  also,  is  Admiral  Sampson.  [Ap 
plause.]  And,  gentlemen  of  the  three  great  posts,  you 
have  your  choice.  [Great  applause.] 


CXXVIII. 

REMARKS  UPON  THE  OCCASION  OF  THE  PRESENTATION  OF 
A  SWORD  TO  ADMIRAL  DEWEY,  AT  THE  CAPITOL, 
WASHINGTON,  OCTOBER  3,  1899. 

Admiral  Deicey : 

From  your  entrance  into  the  harbor  of  New  York  with 
your  gallant  crew  and  valiant  ship,  the  demonstrations 
which  everywhere  have  greeted  you  reveal  the  public 
esteem  of  your  heroic  action  and  the  fullness  of  the  love 
in  which  you  are  held  by  your  countrymen. 

The  voice  of  the  nation  is  lifted  in  praise  and  grati 
tude  for  the  distinguished  and  memorable  services  you 
have  rendered  the  country,  and  all  the  people  give  you 
affectionate  welcome  home,  in  which  I  join  with  all  my 
heart.  Your  victorv  exalted  American  valor  and  ex- 


226  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

tended  American  authority.  There  was  no  flaw  in  your 
victory;  there  will  be  no  faltering  in  maintaining  it. 
[Tremendous  applause.]  It  gives  me  extreme  pleasure 
and  great  honor,  in  behalf  of  all  the  people,  to  hand  you 
this  sword,  the  gift  of  the  nation,  voted  by  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States.  [Prolonged  applause.] 


CXXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  QUINCY,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  6,  1899. 

Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

For  this  patriotic  welcome  I  thank  you.  It  has 
given  me  uncommon  pleasure  to  meet  this  morning,  at 
the  Soldiers'  Home,  the  men  of  1861,  the  veterans  who 
stood  in  the  trenches  and  behind  the  guns  in  that 
year  of  great  emergency,  when  the  life  of  the  nation 
hung  in  the  balance.  [Applause.] 

It  has  given  me  like  pleasure,  also,  to  meet  with  the 
ex-soldiers  of  the  Spanish  War  from  the  city  of  Quincy, 
and  the  naval  militia,  representing  the  patriotism  of 
1898.  [Applause.]  And  it  is  gratifying  to  me  to  learn 
that  you  sent  from  this  city  one  of  the  gallant  young 
officers  who  fought  with  Dewey  in  Manila  Bay.  [Great 
applause.] 

This  is  an  era  of  patriotism,  my  countrymen.  The 
United  States  has  never  been  lacking  in  gratitude 
to  its  soldiers  and  sailors  who  have  fought  in  its 
cause;  and  the  cause  of  the  United  States  has  never 
lacked  defenders  in  every  crisis  of  its  history.  [Cheers.] 
From  the  revolutionary  days  to  the  present  hour, 
the  citizens  of  the  United  States  have  been  ever 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  227 

ready  to  uphold,  at  any  cost,  the  flag  and  the  honor  of 
the  nation,  and  to  take  all  the  responsibility  which 
comes  from  a  righteous  war.  [Great  applause.]  There 
are  responsibilities,  born  of  duty,  that  can  never  be  re 
pudiated.  [Applause.]  Duty  unperformed  is  dishonor, 
and  dishonor  brings  shame,  which  is  heavier  for  a  nation 
to  carry  than  any  burden  which  honor  can  impose. 
[Great  and  prolonged  applause.] 


cxxx. 

REMARKS  AT  MACOMB,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  G,  1899. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  me  to  look  into  your  faces,  to  feel 
the  inspiration  of  your  warm  hearts,  and  to  know 
that  you  are  interested  in  the  prosperity  and  the  honor 
of  the  government  of  the  United  States.  These  great 
assemblages  of  the  people  teach  patriotism,  and  patriot 
ism  is  the  mighty  power  that  sustains  the  government 
in  peace  and  unites  us  all  in  war.  [Great  applause.]  The 
patriot  loves  his  home,  his  family,  his  profession,  his 
farm,  his  books ;  but  he  has  a  greater  love  which  in 
cludes  all  these — he  loves  his  country.  [Great  applause.] 
No  finer  exhibition  of  patriotism  was  ever  shown  than 
a  few  days  ago  in  the  distant  Philippines.  [Applause.] 
That  gallant  Tennessee  regiment  that  had  been  absent 
from  home  and  family  and  friends  for  more  than  a  year, 
and  was  embarked  on  the  good  ship  Sherman,  homeward 
bound— when  the  enemy  attacked  our  forces  remaining 
near  Cebu,  these  magnificent  soldiers  disembarked  from 
their  ship  and  joined  their  comrades  on  the  firing-line, 


228  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

and  achieved  a  glorious  triumph  for  American  arms. 
[Great  applause.]  That  is  an  example  of  patriotism  that 
should  be  an  inspiration  to  duty  to  all  of  us  in  every 
part  of  our  common  country.  [Prolonged  applause.] 


CXXXI. 

REMARKS  AT  BUSHNELL,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  6,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  thank  you  for  this  welcome.  I  thank  the  children 
of  the  schools  for  coming  to  give  me  greeting  with  the 
flag  of  our  country  in  their  hands. 

The  last  two  years  have  registered  not  alone  our 
martial  triumphs,  but  have  recorded  equal  triumphs  in 
peace.  We  have  not  only  overcome  in  the  war  with 
Spain,  but  we  have  overcome  the  enemies  of  prosperity 
and  scattered  their  forces  [great  applause]  j  and  to-day 
the  United  States  is  enjoying  an  era  of  prosperity  un 
precedented  in  our  history.  [Applause.]  No  man 
rejoices  more  in  that  fact  than  I  do,  because  it  has 
taken  blessings  to  the  homes  and  the  firesides  of  seventy- 
five  millions  of  my  countrymen.  [Great  applause.] 


CXXXII. 
y  SPEECH  AT  CANTON,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  6,  1899. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

The  name  you  bear  is  very  close  to  me.     It  suggests 
to  me  the  dearest  name  on  earth— that  of  home;  and 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  229 

the  city  of  Canton,  Ohio,  salutes  her  namesake  and 
sister,  the  city  of  Canton,  Illinois.  [Great  applause.] 
I  am  glad  to  meet  you  all.  The  past  two  years  have 
been  eventful  ones  in  our  history.  They  have  been 
memorable  because  they  have  achieved  victories  for 
civilization  and  humanity.  [Applause.] 

We  have  had  three  signal  triumphs  in  that  period. 
First,  we  have  had  a  war  with  a  foreign  power  in  the 
interest  and  for  the  benefit  of  humanity.  We  have 
triumphed  in  that  war,  and  our  glorious  flag,  the  symbol 
of  liberty,  floats  to-day  over  two  hemispheres.  [Loud 
and  prolonged  applause.]  During  that  war  we  had 
exhibitions  of  unprecedented  patriotism  on  the  part  of 
the  people,  and  unmatched  heroism  on  the  part  of  the 
soldiers  and  the  sailors  of  the  republic.  [Cheers.] 

Our  second  great  triumph  is  the  triumph  of  pros 
perity.  [Great  applause.]  The  busy  mills,  the  active 
industries,  and  the  general  prosperity  have  "  scattered 
plenty  o'er  a  smiling  land." 

And  the  third  great  triumph  is  the  triumph  we  have 
had  over  sectionalism.  [Great  applause.]  We  are  no 
longer  a  divided  people ;  and  he  who  would  stir  up 
animosities  between  the  North  and  the  South  is  denied 
a  hearing  in  both  sections.  [Great  applause.]  The  boys 
of  the  South  with  the  boys  of  the  North  fought  trium 
phantly  on  land  and  sea  in  every  engagement  of  the  war. 

So  I  conclude,  in  the  moment  I  am  to  tarry  with  you, 
by  saying  that  this  nation  has  been  greatly  blessed,  and 
that  this  hour  we  are  a  united,  a  prosperous,  and  a 
patriotic  people.  [Great  applause.]  And  may  that  divine 
Providence  who  has  guided  us  in  all  our  undertakings 
from  the  beginning  of  the  government  continue  to  us  his 
gracious  and  assuring  favor.  [Prolonged  applause .} 


230  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

CXXXIII. 
SPEECH  AT  PEORIA,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  6,  1899. 

Mr.  President,  Mr.  Mayor,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : 

With  my  fellow-citizens  of  Peoria  County,  the  mem 
bers  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  the  Ladies' 
Memorial  Association,  I  am  glad  to  stand  about  this 
monument,  dedicated  to  patriotic  service  and  heroic 
devotion  in  as  holy  a  cause  as  ever  engaged  mankind. 
This  monument  awakens  sacred  memories;  and  that  is 
its  purpose.  It  was  erected  by  these  patriotic  women 
that  it  might  for  all  time  perpetuate  one  of  the  most 
glorious  pages  in  American  history.  It  tells  the  whole 
story  of  the  war— the  siege,  the  march,  the  bivouac,  the 
battle-line,  the  sufferings,  the  sacrifices  of  the  brave 
men  who  from  '61  to  765  upheld  the  flag.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  It  tells  every  page  of  the  history  of  that  civil 
struggle,  and  of  its  triumphant  consummation  at  Ap- 
pomattox  Court-House,  when  Grant  accepted  the  sur 
render  of  Lee,  and  we  were  kept  a  nation,  united  again 
forever.  [Great  applause.] 

I  like  this  monument.  [Applause.]  I  like  this  sym 
bol  that  I  face  to-day— the  defense  of  the  flag.  [Cheers.] 
That  is  what  we  do  whenever  and  wherever  that  flag  is 
assailed.  [Enthusiastic,  prolonged  applause.]  And 
with  us  war  always  stops  when  the  assailants  of  our 
flag  consent  to  Grant's  terms  of  unconditional  sur 
render.  [Great  and  continued  applause.] 

My  fellow-citizens,  I  do  not  intend  to  make  a  speech 
here  to-day.  [Cries  of  "  Go  on  !  "]  I  could  add  nothing 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  231 

of  patriotic  sentiment  to  that  which  has  already  been 
uttered.  But  I  desire  to  express  in  this  presence  my 
appreciation,  not  of  the  tribute  that  was  paid  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  but  the  tribute  which 
the  people  of  Peoria  city  and  Peoria  County  have  paid 
to  the  brave  defenders  of  the  American  flag  in  time 
of  our  greatest  peril.  [Prolonged  applause.]  You  are 
proud  of  the  monument.  You  should  be  proud  of  the 
demonstration  to-day  which  preceded  its  unveiling— six 
thousand  children  from  the  schools  marching  by  with 
the  flag  of  the  stars  in  their  hands.  [Applause.]  I 
could  not  but  think,  as  I  looked  upon  that  inspiring 
procession,  that  my  country  was  safe.  [Loud  and  pro 
longed  applause.]  God  bless  the  schools  of  America ! 
[Continued  applause.]  God  bless  the  patriotic  women 
of  the  United  States  [continued  applause],  and  the  pa 
triotic  band  that  projected  and  carried  this  monument 
to  a  successful  conclusion  !  [Continued  applause.]  And 
I  must  not  close  without  congratulating  you  that  you 
could  find  in  Peoria — indeed,  you  have  everything  in 
Peoria— an  artist  of  such  high  skill,  born  in  your  own 
city,  to  conceive  and  execute  this  noble  monument. 
[Applause.] 

I  thank  you  for  this  splendid  demonstration  of  pa 
triotism.     [Long-continued  applause.] 


232  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CXXXIV. 

REMARKS  UPON  THE  PRESENTATION  OF  AN  ALBUM  FROM 
THE  PEOPLE  OF  PEORIA,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  6,  1899. 

My  Friends : 

I  have  no  fitting  words  to  respond  to  the  gracious 
compliment  of  this  hour  and  to  the  welcome  spoken  by 
your  representative. 

Our  flag,  wherever  it  floats,  does  not  change  in  char 
acter.  It  is  the  same  under  a  tropical  sun  as  it  is  in  our 
own  United  States.  It  represents,  wherever  its  stan 
dard  is  raised,  liberty  and  advancement  for  the  people ; 
and  in  your  allusions  to  the  work  of  the  Congress  and 
of  this  administration,  I  can  only  say  for  myself  and  for 
those  associated  with  me,  we  have  had  no  aim  but  a  public 
aim,  no  purpose  but  a  good  one ;  and  upon  our  action, 
in  the  language  of  Lincoln  and  in  the  words  of  his  proc 
lamation,  we  "  invoke  the  considerate  judgment  of  man 
kind  and  the  gracious  favor  of  Almighty  God." 

I  thank  you  for  this  gift,  coming  from  the  people  of 
Peoria  as  an  expression  of  their  feeling  and  good  will. 


cxxxv. 

ADDRESS  AT  GALESBURG,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  7,  1899. 

Mr.  Chairman  and  my  Fellow-  Citizens  : 

The  time  and  place  make  this  meeting  memorable. 
Forty-one  years  ago  on  this  spot  two  mighty  leaders, 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  233 

representing  opposing  ideas,  contended  for  mastery 
before  the  tribunal  of  the  people.  It  was  a  contest 
which  history  will  not  fail  to  record ;  and  some  are  yet 
living  to  tell  its  interesting  and  thrilling  story.  It  has 
been  recited  around  the  family  fireside  until  to  the 
people  of  Illinois  it  has  become  a  household  tale,  inspir 
ing  love  of  liberty  and  devotion  to  free  institutions. 
Here,  therefore,  are  sacred  memories  which  will  be 
cherished  by  this  community  for  all  time,  and  are  per 
manently  incorporated  in  the  life  of  the  nation. 

Lincoln  and  Douglas  are  inseparably  connected  in  the 
public  mind.  Their  association  began  in  conflict  and 
ended  in  cooperation.  They  were  in  antagonism  for 
more  than  a  generation  over  the  interpretation  of  the 
Constitution,  and  were  united  at  last  when  the  Consti 
tution  itself  was  assailed.  They  might  differ,  as  they 
did,  over  the  meaning  of  some  of  its  provisions,  but 
when  the  crisis  came  they  stood  together  for  its  inviola 
bility  and  for  the  inseparability  of  the  Union  it  estab 
lished.  The  one  asserted  the  right  of  slavery  under 
certain  conditions  to  enter  the  Territories ;  the  other 
disputed  that  right  under  nny  conditions;  but  both 
agreed  that  the  slave  power  should  not  divide  the 
Union. 

The  debate  was  national  and  historical.  It  com 
manded  profound  attention.  It  interested  all  sections. 
It  was  watched  with  the  deepest  anxiety  by  the  fol 
lowers  of  both.  It  was  read  and  studied  as  no  other 
public  discussion  before  or  since.  It  presented  the  best 
of  the  two  conflicting  schools  of  thought.  It  was  epoch- 
making,  and  marked  an  epoch  in  our  history.  It 
touched  the  public  conscience.  It  influenced  public 
thought  and  purpose.  It  made  the  issue  impossible  of 


234  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

escape;  it  could  be  no  longer  avoided  or  evaded.  It 
united  the  friends  of  liberty  as  well  as  those  of  slavery. 
It  hastened  the  "  irrepressible  conflict."  It  was  not  the 
beginning  of  the  agitation,  but  it  carried  it  into  the  lives 
and  homes  of  the  republic,  and  no  issue  is  ever  rightly 
settled  until  it  is  settled  there.  It  is  no  little  source  of 
satisfaction  that,  upon  the  great  question  presented  in 
these  debates,  while  Douglas  carried  the  legislature, 
Lincoln  had  a  majority  of  the  people. 

The  torch  of  liberty  was  not  lighted  here,  but  it 
flamed  forth  with  a  broader,  brighter,  bolder  light  as  it 
was  lifted  up  by  the  strong  arm  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Three  years— only  three  years — intervened,  and  the 
debate  was  removed  from  the  arena  of  peaceful  discus 
sion  to  that  of  war  and  carnage.  And  then  Lincoln 
and  Douglas  stood  no  longer  divided.  Sumter  was  fired 
on  April  12,  1861.  On  the  15th  of  that  month  Lincoln 
issued  his  call  for  seventy-five  thousand  troops.  The 
position  of  Douglas  at  this  critical  juncture  was  that  of 
a  patriot.  Without  halting  or  hesitation  he  alined 
himself  upon  the  side  of  the  national  government,  and 
threw  the  force  of  his  great  personality  in  support  of 
the  Executive.  Upon  the  occasion  of  his  memorable 
visit  to  Lincoln  immediately  after  the  first  call  for 
volunteers,  he  dictated  to  the  representative  of  the 
Associated  Press  a  despatch  in  these  words : 

April  18,  1861. 

Senator  Douglas  called  on  the  President  and  had  an  interesting 
conversation  on  the  present  condition  of  the  country.  The  sub 
stance  of  it  was,  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Douglas,  that  while  he  was 
unalterably  opposed  to  the  administration  in  all  its  political 
issues,  he  was  prepared  to  fully  sustain  the  President  in  the  ex 
ercise  of  all  his  constitutional  functions  to  preserve  the  Union, 
maintain  the  government,  and  defend  the  federal  capital.  A  firm 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  235 

policy  and  prompt  action  were  necessary.  The  capital  was  in 
danger,  and  must  be  defended  at  all  hazards  and  at  any  expense  of 
men  and  money.  He  spoke  of  the  present  and  future  without  any 
reference  to  the  past. 

He  no  longer  considered  party.  His  sole  concern 
was  for  his  country.  He  had  no  sympathy  with  our 
enemies  in  the  North,  who  openly  or  secretly  counseled 
the  dissolution  of  the  Union.  He  was  for  the  nag  and 
for  its  cause,  and  the  brave  men  who  carried  it  had  his 
blessing  and  prayers.  His  patriotic  course  was  a  mighty 
factor  in  molding  Union  sentiment  and  in  uniting  the 
patriotism  of  the  country,  and  should  serve  as  an  ex 
ample  of  good  citizenship  and  an  inspiration  to  duty. 

Though  Douglas  espoused  a  cause  doomed  to  de 
feat,  yet  his  name  will  be  cherished  by  patriots  every 
where,  because  when  the  test  came  he  was  found  sup 
porting  the  government  and  marshaling  his  followers 
to  uphold  the  constituted  authorities.  It  is  the  cause 
which  lives,  and  it  is  the  cause  which  makes  the  men 
identified  with  it  immortal  in  history.  Lincoln  was  the 
leader  of  the  triumphant  cause.  Douglas,  though  op 
posed  to  him  for  a  lifetime,  supported  and  strengthened 
his  arm.  Both  will  be  remembered  longest,  not  for  the 
debate,  but  for  their  part  in  the  mighty  events  which 
ensued.  They  will  live  because  the  Union  which  was 
saved  and  the  liberty  which  was  established  will  endure 
to  perpetuate  their  names. 

To  Lincoln,  who  in  1858  was  struggling  here  against 
the  encroachment  of  slavery,— not  for  its  destruction 
where  it  existed,  but  against  its  further  extension, — was 
finally  given  by  the  people,  under  the  providence  of 
God,  the  opportunity  and  the  power  to  enthrone  liberty 
in  every  part  of  the  republic. 


236  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

CXXXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  KEWANEE,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  7,  1899. 

Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  thank  you  for  this  patriotic  demonstration.  I  ap 
preciate  this  expression,  not  as  personal  to  myself,  but 
as  your  tribute  of  devotion  to  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  over  which,  by  the  partiality  of  your 
suffrage,  I  am  permitted  to  preside.  [Great  applause.] 

I  am  glad  to  meet  the  working-men  of  this  busy  man 
ufacturing  town,  and  to  meet  my  fellow-citizens  gen 
erally,  and  congratulate  them  upon  the  improved 
conditions  of  business  over  1896.  [Enthusiastic  ap 
plause.]  I  am  glad  to  know  that  this  year  the  place 
hunts  the  man,  and  not  the  man  the  place.  [Applause.] 

Somebody  has  asked,  "What  are  the  signs  of  the 
times?"  Coming  along  on  the  railway  I  received  a 
letter  from  one  of  your  great  works  here,  and  I  thought 
it  gave  the  best  answer  that  could  be  made.  Here  it  is  : 

In  1896  from  one  to  three  hundred  men  were  turned  away  from 
our  gates  every  morning  and  every  night,  who  were  looking  for 
work.  [A  voice,  "That 's  so,  too."]  Many  of  these  people  went 
away  with  tears  in  their  eyes.  We  gave  work  to  large  numbers  of 
people,  for  a  few  days  at  a  time,  simply  to  enable  them  to  live. 
During  the  last  two  years  our  bulletin-board  has  been  constantly 
covered  with  the  notice  of  additional  men  wanted.  [Great  ap 
plause  and  cries  of  "  True  !  "] 

In  one  of  your  factories  in  1896,  in  the  month  of 
September,  you  paid  thirty-three  thousand  dollars  to 
labor ;  in  the  same  month  of  1899  you  paid  one  hundred 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  237 

and  tliree  thousand  dollars  to  labor.  [Cheers.]  I  am 
told  that  this  railroad  over  which  we  are  traveling 
loaded,  in  the  month  of  September  of  this  year,  seventy- 
eight  hundred  cars— more  than  have  ever  been  loaded  in 
a  single  month  before  in  its  history — with  the  products 
of  the  farm,  the  mill,  and  the  factories  along  its  line 
[great  applause]— eighteen  hundred  more  than  were 
loaded  in  the  same  period  last  year.  So  I  feel  that  I 
can  congratulate  you  upon  the  prosperity  that  prevails 
in  this  community  and  throughout  the  country.  The 
hum  of  industry  has  drowned  the  voice  of  calamity 
[applause],  and  the  voice  of  despair  is  no  longer  heard 
in  the  United  States,  and  the  orators  without  occupation 
here  are  now  looking  to  the  Philippines  for  comfort. 
[Laughter  and  long-continued  applause.]  As  we  op 
posed  them  when  they  were  standing  against  industrial 
progress  at  home,  we  oppose  them  now  as  they  are 
standing  against  national  duty  in  our  island  possessions 
in  the  Pacific.  [Loud  and  prolonged  applause.] 


CXXXVII. 

SPEECH  AT  LA  SALLE,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  7,  1899. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  meet  you  here  to 
day.  I  never  journey  through  the  East  or  the  South  or 
the  West  that  my  pride  in  my  country  is  not  increased, 
my  love  of  it  enhanced,  and  my  confidence  in  its  noble 
mission  and  its  permanence  firmly  reestablished  in  my 
heart.  [Great  applause.]  We  are  a  nation  of  seventy- 
five  millions  of  people,  all  of  them  possessing  equal 


238  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

opportunity  in  the  race  of  life,  with  public  schools  and 
other  schools  open  for  the  education  of  the  boys  and 
girls  freely  and  without  price,  with  hope  put  in  the 
heart  of  the  humblest  boy  in  the  land,  and  the  right  of 
that  humblest  boy  to  aspire  to  the  highest  place  in  the 
gift  of  this  free  republic.  [Great  applause.]  And  if  you 
needed  any  example  of  the  glorious  opportunities  of 
American  citizenship,  you  have  them  here  in  your  own 
great  State  of  Illinois.  Lincoln,  Douglas,  Logan,  Love- 
joy,  Oglesby,  and  a  long  list  besides,  coming  from  the 
humblest  walks  of  life,  at  last  reached  the  highest  sum 
mits  of  fame  and  favor  in  the  republic. 

And  now  to  us— for  this  government  rests  upon  the 
people  and  all  the  people— is  committed  this  great  repub 
lic.  Shall  we  maintain  it  in  its  integrity  ?  Let  your  boys 
be  educated  in  patriotism,  and  if  so  educated  no  harm 
can  befall  the  nation.  [Long-continued  applause.] 

CXXXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  OTTAWA,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  7,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  very  much  appreciate  the  fact  that  at  this  busy 
period  so  many  of  you  have  left  your  accustomed  occu 
pations  and  assembled  here  to  give  me  welcome  and 
cheer,  I  rejoice  at  your  prosperity  and  at  the  pros 
perity  which  is  everywhere  observed  throughout  our 
country,  and  I  wish  for  you  and  all  the  people  con 
tinued  blessings  under  a  government  which  we  love  and 
believe  is  the  best  in  the  world.  [Applause.] 

At  the  city  of  Galesburg,  which  we  have  just  left,  we 
celebrated  the  anniversary  of  the  great  debate  between 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  239 

Lincoln  and  Douglas.  I  am  told  that  the  first  of  the 
series  occurred  in  your  city  [a  voice,  "  In  1858  "]  in  1858. 
That,  my  fellow-citizens,  was  a  memorable  discussion  of 
great  political  questions.  That  was  the  beginning  of 
the  new  era  of  our  national  life.  It  was  a  great  blow 
that  was  struck  here  and  elsewhere  at  human  slavery  j 
and  from  that  debate,  entering  the  hearts  and  homes 
and  consciences  of  the  people,  finally  came  the  civil 
struggle  that  gave  your  great  citizen  the  opportunity 
to  emancipate  four  millions  of  people.  [Long-continued 
applause.] 


CXXXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  JOLIET,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  7,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

Some  one  told  me  that  the  crowd  would  be  very 
small  at  Joliet  because  the  workshops  were  too  busy  to 
close.  What  would  this  great  audience  have  been  if 
all  the  workmen  had  been  able  to  leave  their  employ 
ment?  I  am  told  that  you  are  so  busy  that  you  run 
two  turns  a  day  [a  voice,  "Some  places  three!77]  and 
some  places  three.  I  suppose  that  is  on  the  principle 
that  one  good  turn  deserves  another.  [Laughter  and 
applause.] 

I  am  glad  to  know  that  every  one  of  the  fires  of  all 
the  furnaces  and  factories  and  shops  in  the  city  of  Joliet 
has  been  lighted,  and  that  employment  waits  upon  labor 
in  every  department  of  human  industry  here. 

This  nation  is  doing  a  vast  business  not  only  at  home, 
but  abroad.  For  the  first  time  in  our  history  we 


240  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

send  more  American  manufactured  products  abroad, 
made  by  American  working-men,  than  we  buy  abroad. 
[Applause.]  The  balance  of  trade  is,  therefore,  in  our 
favor,  and  it  is  paid  in  gold.  [Great  applause.]  In 
1898  we  sent  six  hundred  million  dollars'  worth  of 
American  products  abroad  in  excess  of  what  we  bought 
abroad,  and  five  hundred  and  thirty  million  dollars'  worth 
in  1899 — all  of  which  was  paid  to  the  American  people, 
and  helped  furnish  pay  to  American  labor.  Ten  years 
ago  we  imported  seven  hundred  and  thirty-five  million 
pounds  of  tin-plate  from  the  other  side.  Last  year  we 
imported  one  hundred  million  pounds,  and  manufactured 
at  home  nearly  eight  hundred  million  pounds  of  that 
product.  [Applause.]  We  not  only  practically  supply  our 
own  market,  but  we  are  beginning  to  export  tin-plate. 
In  1894  we  sent  abroad  American  locomotives  valued  at 
one  million  dollars.  In  1899  we  sent  abroad  American 
locomotives  valued  at  four  million  seven  hundred  thou 
sand  dollars.  Our  trade  is  not  only  growing  at  home, 
but  it  is  growing  abroad. 

All  that  I  wish  for  my  countrymen  is  that  this  pros 
perity  may  be  continued— continued  because  it  brings 
happiness  and  contentment  and  joy  to  every  household 
of  the  land. 

We  not  only  send  our  goods  abroad,  but  we  have 
sent  our  flag  abroad.  [Enthusiastic  and  long-continued 
applause.]  The  flag  now  floats  where  it  never  floated 
before,  the  symbol  of  freedom,  the  hope  of  humanity, 
of  liberty  and  civilization.  And  where  that  flag  floats, 
borne  by  our  soldier  boys,  there  our  hearts  are.  [Loud 
and  prolonged  cheering.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  241 


CXLI. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  CHILDREN'S  EXERCISES,  AUDITORIUM, 
CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  8,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  could  not  be  induced  to  interrupt  by  speech  the 
singing  of  the  American  hymn,  which  is  next  on  the 
program.  I  can  only  express  to  you  the  very  great 
satisfaction  it  is  to  me  to  witness  this  magnificent 
demonstration  of  patriotism  and  love  of  country  and 
of  the  flag.  [Great  applause.] 


CXLIL 

REMARKS  AT  QUINN  CHAPEL,  CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  8,  1899. 

My  Friends  : 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  meet  with  you  on  this 
memorial  day.  The  noblest  sentiment  of  the  human 
heart,  after  love  of  God,  is  love  of  country,  and  that  in 
cludes  love  of  home,  the  corner-stone  of  its  strength  and 
safety.  Your  race  has  demonstrated  its  patriotism  by 
its  sacrifices,  its  love  of  the  flag  by  dying  for  it.  That 
is  the  greatest  test  of  fidelity  and  loyalty.  The  nation 
has  appreciated  the  valor  and  patriotism  of  the  black 
men  of  the  United  States.  They  not  only  fought  in 
Cuba,  but  in  the  Philippines,  and  they  are  still  carry 
ing  the  flag  as  the  symbol  of  liberty  and  hope  to  an  op 
pressed  people. 


242  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CXL. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  MARQUETTE  CLUB  BANQUET, 
CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  7,  1899. 

Mr.  President,  Gentlemen  of  tlie  Marquette  Cliib  : 

I  will  not  interrupt  the  orderly  progress  of  the  pro 
gram  which  has  been  laid  before  you,  and  to  which  I 
must  insist  that  your  chairman  shall  adhere.  I  rise  at 
this  moment  only  to  express  my  warm  appreciation  of 
the  affectionate  salutation  of  the  Marquette  Club,  and 
to  say  that  I  reciprocate  it  with  all  my  heart.  [Ap 
plause.] 

We  are  not  strangers.  This  scene  to-night  is  not  al 
together  unfamiliar  to  me.  I  stood  among  you  once 
before,  now  more  than  three  years  ago,  your  honored 
guest  j  and  I  have  for  you  all  to-night  the  most  grateful 
regard  and  unstinted  gratitude.  You  have  not  only 
been  my  friends,  faithful  and  unfaltering  at  all  times, 
but,  what  is  of  more  moment,  you  have  been  at  all  times 
faithful  to  your  country,  loyal  to  the  inviolability  of 
public  faith,  standing  always  for  honest  government 
and  honest  money  [great  applause],  and  forever  stand 
ing  for  the  honor  and  integrity  of  the  flag  wherever  it 
floats  and  wherever  it  is  carried  by  our  soldiers  or  our 
sailors  on  land  or  on  sea.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  243 


CXLIII. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  CITIZENS'  BANQUET,  CHICAGO, 
OCTOBER  9,  1899. 

Mr.  Toastmaster  and  Gentlemen : 

I  am  glad  to  join  you  in  extending  a  sincere  welcome 
to  the  distinguished  statesmen  and  diplomatists  who 
represent  the  great  countries  adjoining  us  on  the  south 
and  the  north.  We  are  bound  to  them  both  by  ties  of 
neighborhood.  We  rejoice  in  their  prosperity,  and  we 
wish  them  God-speed  in  the  pathway  of  progress  they 
are  so  energetically  and  successfully  pursuing.  [Great 
applause.] 

You  have  assigned  to  me  the  toast  "  The  Nation  "- 
our  nation,  whose  strength  and  safety  rests,  not  in 
armies  nor  in  navies,  but  in  the  love  and  loyalty  of  the 
people  [great  applause],  which  have  never  failed  to  re 
spond  to  every  emergency  and  to  be  all-conquering  in 
every  peril. 

On  the  reverse  side  of  the  great  seal  of  the  United 
States,  authorized  by  Congress  June  20,  1782,  and 
adopted  as  the  seal  of  the  United  States  of  America 
after  its  formation  under  the  Federal  Constitution,  is 
the  pyramid,  signifying  strength  and  duration.  The 
eye  over  it  and  the  motto  allude  to  the  many  signal 
interpositions  of  Providence  in  favor  of  the  American 
cause.  The  date  underneath,  1776,  is  that  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  the  words  under  it 
signify  the  beginning  of  a  new  American  era  which 
commences  from  that  date. 


244  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

It  is  impossible  to  trace  our  history  since  without 
feeling  that  the  Providence  which  was  with  us  in  the 
beginning  has  continued  to  the  nation  his  gracious 
interposition.  When,  unhappily,  we  have  been  engaged 
in  war,  he  has  given  us  the  victory.  Fortunate,  indeed, 
that  it  can  be  said  we  have  had  no  clash  of  arms  which 
has  ended  in  defeat,  and  no  responsibility  resulting  from 
war  which  has  been  tainted  with  dishonor.  [Great 
applause.]  In  peace  we  have  been  signally  blessed,  and 
our  progress  has  gone  on  unchecked  and  ever  increas 
ing  in  the  intervening  years.  In  boundless  wealth  of 
soil  and  mine  and  forest  nature  has  favored  us,  while 
all  races  of  men  of  every  nationality  and  climate  have 
contributed  their  good  blood  and  brains  to  make  the 
nation  what  it  is. 

From  a  little  less  than  four  millions  in  1790  our  popu 
lation  has  grown  to  upward  of  sixty-two  millions  in  1890, 
and  our  estimated  population  to-day,  made  by  the  gov 
ernors  of  the  States,  is  77,803,231.  We  have  gone  from 
thirteen  States  to  forty-five.  We  have  annexed  every 
variety  of  territory  [applause],  from  the  coral  reefs 
and  cocoanut  groves  of  Key  West  to  the  icy  regions 
of  northern  Alaska — territory  skirting  the  Atlantic,  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  Pacific,  and  the  Arctic,  and  the 
islands  of  the  Pacific  and  Caribbean  Sea,  and  we  have 
but  recently  still  further  extended  our  jurisdiction  to 
the  far-away  islands  of  the  Philippines.  [Great  and 
long-continued  applause.] 

Our  territory  is  more  than  four  times  larger  than  it 
was  when  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  in  1783.  Our 
industrial  growth  has  been  even  more  phenomenal  than 
that  of  population  and  territory.  Our  wealth,  estimated 
in  1790  at  $462,000,000,  has  advanced  to  $65,000,000,000. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  245 

Education  has  not  been  overlooked.  The  mental  and 
moral  equipment  of  the  youth,  upon  whom  in  the  future 
will  rest  the  responsibilities  of  government,  has  had 
the  unceasing  and  generous  care  of  the  States  and  the 
nation.  We  expended  in  1897-98  in  public  education 
open  to  all  over  $202,115,548,  in  secondary  education 
more  than  $23,474,683,  and  for  higher  education  for 
the  same  period,  $30,307,902 ;  and  the  number  of  pupils 
attending  our  public  schools  in  1896-97  was  14,652,492, 
or  about  twenty  per  cent,  of  our  population.  [Ap 
plause.]  My  countrymen,  is  this  not  a  pillar  of  strength 
to  the  republic?  [Applause.] 

Our  national  credit,  often  tried,  has  ever  been  upheld. 
It  has  no  superior  and  no  stain.  The  United  States  has 
never  repudiated  a  national  obligation  [great  applause] 
either  to  its  creditors  or  to  humanity.  [Great  applause.] 
It  will  not  now  begin  to  do  either.  [Great  applause.]  It 
never  struck  a  blow  except  for  civilization,  and  never 
struck  its  colors.  [Prolonged  applause.] 

Has  the  pyramid  lost  any  of  its  strength?  The 
pyramid  put  on  the  reverse  side  of  the  great  seal  of 
the  United  States  by  the  fathers  as  signifying  strength 
and  duration,  has  it  lost  any  of  its  strength  ?  [Voices, 
"  No !  "]  Has  the  republic  lost  any  of  its  virility  ?  Has 
the  self-governing  principle  been  weakened?  Is  there 
any  present  menace  to  our  stability  and  duration? 
[Voices,  "  No !  v]  These  questions  bring  but  one 
answer.  The  republic  is  sturdier  and  stronger  than 
ever  before.  [Great  applause.]  Government  by  the 
people  has  not  been  retarded,  but  advanced.  [Applause.] 
Freedom  under  the  flag  is  more  universal  than  when 
the  Union  was  formed.  Our  steps  have  been  forward, 
not  backward.  We  have  not  stood  still.  "  From  Plvm- 


246  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

outh  Rock  to  the  Philippines  [great  applause]  the 
grand  triumphant  march  of  human  liberty  has  never 
paused."  [Great  applause.] 

Fraternity  and  union  are  deeply  embedded  in  the 
hearts  of  the  American  people.  For  half  a  century 
before  the  Civil  War  disunion  was  the  fear  of  men  of 
all  sections.  That  word  has  gone  out  of  the  American 
vocabulary.  [Great  applause.]  It  is  spoken  now  only 
as  a  historical  memory.  North,  South,  East,  and  West 
were  never  so  welded  together,  and  while  they  may 
differ  about  internal  policies,  they  are  all  for  the  Union 
and  the  maintenance  of  the  integrity  of  the  flag.  [Great 
applause.] 

Has  patriotism  died  out  in  the  hearts  of  the  people? 
[Voices,  "  No !  "]  Witness  the  two  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  men  springing  to  arms  and  in  thirty  days 
organized  into  regiments  for  the  Spanish  War,  and  a 
million  more  ready  to  respond  [applause] ;  and  the  more 
recent  enlistment  of  seventy  thousand  men,  with  many 
other  thousands  anxious  to  enlist,  but  whose  services 
were  not  needed— not,  my  fellow-citizens,  for  the  glory 
of  arms,  but  for  the  love  of  peace.  [Applause.]  Has 
American  heroism  declined  ?  [Voices,  "  No  !  "]  The 
shattered  and  sinking  fleets  of  the  Spanish  navy  at 
Manila  and  Santiago,  the  charge  of  San  Ju&n  hill  and 
El  Caney,  and  the  intrepid  valor  and  determination  of 
our  gallant  troops  in  more  than  fifty  engagements  in 
Luzon,  attest  the  fact  that  the  American  soldier  and 
sailor  have  lost  none  of  the  qualities  which  made  our 
earlier  army  and  navy  illustrious  and  invincible.  [Great 
applause.] 

After  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  years  the  pyramid 
stands  unshaken.  It  has  had  some  severe  shocks,  but 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  247 

it  remains  immovable.  It  has  endured  the  storms 
of  war,  only  to  be  strengthened.  It  stands  firmer  and 
gives  greater  promise  of  duration  than  when  the  fathers 
made  it  the  symbol  of  their  faith.  [Applause.] 

May  we  not  feel  assured,  may  we  not  feel  certain  to 
night  that,  if  we  do  our  duty,  the  Providence  which 
favored  the  undertakings  of  the  fathers,  and  every  step 
of  our  progress  since,  will  continue  his  watchful  care 
and  guidance  over  us,  and  that  "  the  hand  that  led  us 
to  our  present  place  will  not  relax  "  is  grasp  till  we 
have  reached  the  glorious  goal  he  has  fixed  for  us  in 
the  achievement  of  his  end  ? "  [Prolonged  applause.] 


CXLIV. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  REUNION  OF  THE  ARMY  OF  THE 
TENNESSEE,  CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  10,  1899. 

General  Dodge,  my  Comrades : 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  interrupt  your  business 
meeting,  and  I  have  only  called  that  I  might  pay  my 
respects  and  bring  my  personal  good  wishes  to  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee.  I  have  heard  with  gratitude 
and  satisfaction  the  warm  words  of  your  president  in 
pledging  the  support  of  the  veterans  of  the  Army  of 
the  Tennessee  to  the  flag  and  to  the  patriotic  purposes 
of  the  government  of  the  United  States.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  I  needed  no  such  pledge  from  your  president. 
I  could  have  known  without  his  stating  it  where  this 
grand  Army  of  the  Tennessee  would  be  when  the  flag 
was  assailed  and  wherever  it  was  assailed,  carried  by 
the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  United  States.  [Great 


248  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

applause.]  I  could  have  known  where  this  veteran 
army  would  stand  when  I  recalled  for  an  instant  its 
history,  with  its  Grant,  its  Sherman,  its  McPherson, 
and  its  Logan.  [Applause.] 

As  I  have  said,  I  have  only  come  to  bring  to  you  the 
homage  which  I  feel  for  the  veterans  of  1861,  who  for 
more  than  thirty-three  years  have  taught  patriotism  to 
the  people  of  the  United  States.  And  when  the  hour 
of  our  peril  came  last  year,  as  a  result  of  your  instruc 
tion,  more  than  a  million  men  volunteered  to  defend  the 
flag.  [Enthusiastic  applause.] 

I  thank  you  for  your  cordial  welcome,  and  bid  you 
all  good  morning. 

CXLV. 

SPEECH  TO  THE   CHICAGO  BRICKLAYERS   AND   STONE 
MASONS'  UNION,  CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  10,  1899. 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen : 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  meet  with  the  working- 
men  of  the  city  of  Chicago.  Of  the  many  receptions 
that  have  been  tendered  me  during  my  three  days'  stay 
in  your  city,  none  has  given  me  more  pleasure  or  greater 
satisfaction  than  the  welcome  accorded  to  me  in  this 
hall  and  the  kind  words  spoken  in  my  behalf  by  your 
president.  [Cheers.]  I  have  come,  not  to  make  an  ad 
dress  to  you,  but  rather  to  give  evidence,  by  my  presence, 
of  the  great  interest  I  feel  in  the  cause  of  labor,  and  to 
congratulate  you  and  your  fellow- workmen  everywhere 
upon  the  improved  condition  of  the  country  and  upon 
our  general  prosperity.  [Applause.] 

When  labor  is  employed  at  fair  wages,  homes  are 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  249 

made  happy.  The  labor  of  the  United  States  is  better 
employed,  better  paid,  and  commands  greater  respect 
than  that  of  any  other  nation  in  the  world.  [Applause.] 
What  I  would  leave  with  you  here  to-night,  in  the  mo 
ment  I  shall  occupy,  is  the  thought  that  you  should 
improve  all  the  advantages  and  opportunities  of  this 
free  government.  Your  families,  your  boys  and  girls, 
are  very  close  to  your  heart-strings,  and  you  ought  to 
avail  yourselves  of  the  opportunity  offered  your  chil 
dren  by  the  excellent  schools  of  the  city  of  Chicago. 
Give  your  children  the  best  education  obtainable,  and 
that  is  the  best  equipment  you  can  give  any  Ameri 
can.  Integrity  wins  its  way  everywhere,  and  what  I 
do  not  want  the  working-men  of  this  country  to  do  is  to 
establish  hostile  camps  and  divide  the  people  of  the 
United  States  into  classes.  I  do  not  want  any  wall 
built  against  the  ambitions  of  your  boy,  nor  any  barrier 
put  in  the  way  of  his  occupying  the  highest  places  in 
the  gift  of  the  people.  My  fellow-citizens,  I  must  stop. 
I  leave  my  best  wishes  and  good  will,  with  the  prayer 
that  you  may  always  have  good  employment,  good 
wages,  and  that  in  your  homes  you  may  have  love  and 
contentment.  [Great  cheering.] 


250  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CXLVI. 

SPEECH  AT  BANQUET  OF  THE  COMMERCIAL  CLUB, 
CHICAGO,  OCTOBER  10,  1899. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  am  honored  to  be  the  guest  of  this  great  club, 
representing,  as  it  does,  the  energy  and  activity  and 
enterprise  of  this  inland  city.  I  can  testify  to  the 
energy  of  your  people.  If  I  ever  had  any  doubt  about 
the  wisdom  of  eight  hours  being  a  full  day's  work,  that 
doubt  has  been  removed.  [Laughter.]  I  understand 
there  is  already  a  new  conflict  between  the  federal 
committee  and  the  festival  committee  over  the  fact  that 
thirty  minutes  of  my  time  in  the  last  four  days  re 
mained  unassigned.  [Laughter.] 

I  congratulate  you,  gentlemen,  upon  the  growth  and 
advancement  of  your  city  and  the  evidences  of  pros 
perity  everywhere  observed.  Nothing  impressed  me 
more,  in  the  multitudes  on  the  streets  yesterday,  than 
the  smiling,  happy  faces  of  the  people.  That  was  evi 
dence  to  me  of  your  real  and  substantial  prosperity.  It 
meant  steady  employment,  good  wages,  happy  homes, 
and  these  are  always  indispensable  to  good  government 
and  to  the  welfare  of  the  people.  [Applause.] 

We  have  had  a  wonderful  industrial  development  in 
the  last  two  years.  Our  workshops  never  were  so  busy, 
our  trade  at  home  was  never  so  large,  and  our  foreign 
trade  exceeds  that  of  any  like  period  in  all  our  history. 
In  the  year  1899  we  bought  abroad  upward  of  $697,000,- 
000  worth  of  goods,  and  in  the  same  year  sold  abroad 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  251 

$1,227,000,000  worth,  giving  a  balance  of  trade  in  our 
favor  of  $530,000,000.  This  means  more  labor  at  home, 
more  money  at  home,  more  earnings  at  home.  Our 
products  are  carried  on  every  sea  and  find  a  market  in 
all  the  ports  of  the  world.  In  1888  the  Japanese  govern 
ment  took  from  us  8.86  per  cent,  of  its  total  imports,  and 
in  1898  14.57  per  cent.  We  are  the  greatest  producers 
of  pig-iron,  and  raise  three  fourths  of  the  cotton  of  the 
world.  Our  manufactures  of  iron  and  steel  exceed 
those  of  any  other  country. 

The  growth  of  the  railway  systems  of  the  United 
States  is  phenomenal.  From  thirty  miles  in  1830  we 
have  gone  to  184,590  miles  in  1897.  The  system  of 
reciprocal  agreements  with  foreign  countries,  provided 
by  the  tariff  act  of  1897,  promises  beneficial  results  in 
the  increase  of  our  export  trade.  Most  of  the  conven 
tions  already  made  await  ratification  before  going  into 
effect,  but  the  first  reciprocal  arrangement,  under  the 
third  section  of  the  act,  made  with  France,  has  now 
been  in  operation  over  a  year.  It  is  intended  espe 
cially  to  cover  some  important  products  of  the  West  and 
Northwest  which  are  very  largely  handled  by  the  mer 
chants  of  Chicago. 

A  comparison  of  these  special  exports  of  the  United 
States  to  France  for  the  years  1898  and  1899  shows  an 
increase  in  one  year  of  reciprocity  of  about  16  per  cent, 
in  logs  and  lumber,  an  increase  of  over  240  per  cent,  in 
export  of  bacon  and  hams,  and  an  increase  of  51  per 
cent,  in  the  export  of  lard  and  its  compounds.  We 
have  also,  my  fellow-citizens,  made  a  parcels-post  ar 
rangement  with  Germany— the  first  ever  made  between 
the  United  States  and  any  country  in  Europe.  It  went 
into  effect  on  October  1,  and  permits  the  interchange 


252  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

through  the  mails  of  all  articles  up  to  eleven  pounds 
in  weight  at  the  rate  of  twelve  cents  per  pound.  This 
has  been  the  result  of  fifteen  years  of  effort  to  reach 
such  an  agreement,  but  not  until  now  has  it  been  carried 
through  with  success. 

Our  ship-building  has  been  greatly  increased.  [Ap 
plause.]  For  the  first  time  in  all  our  history  the  ton 
nage  of  our  steam-vessels  011  June  1  exceeded  the  tonnage 
of  all  our  sailing-vessels,  barges,  and  all  other  craft.  We 
built  in  1897  and  1898  more  vessels  of  steel  than  of 
all  other  materials  combined.  Our  tonnage  increased 
during  the  latter  year  100,000  tons,  and  is  without  a 
parallel  in  our  recent  history.  Larger  ocean  steam 
ships  are  under  construction  in  the  United  States  than 
ever  before.  Our  ship-building  plants  are  being  en 
larged  and  new  establishments  projected.  There  is  no 
better  time  than  the  present,  therefore,  with  all  these 
favorable  conditions  and  others  which  will  suggest 
themselves  to  you,  for  the  development  of  a  powerful 
merchant  marine.  [Applause.]  Our  relations  to  other 
nations  by  reason  of  our  new  possessions  make  this  duty 
even  more  commanding  than  it  has  ever  been.  [Ap 
plause.]  American  shipping  under  the  American  flag 
should  be  found  in  all  oceans,  and  our  trade  must  go 
wherever  our  flag  goes. 

Our  internal  commerce  has  even  exceeded  the  growth 
of  our  outward  commerce.  Our  railroad  transportation 
lines  never  were  so  crowded,  while  our  builders  of  cars 
and  engines  are  unable  to  fill  the  pressing  orders  made 
necessary  by  the  increased  traffic.  [Applause.] 

We  have  everything,  gentlemen,  upon  which  to  con 
gratulate  ourselves  as  to  the  present  condition  of  the 
country.  The  only  fear  I  have  ever  had,  and  I  speak 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  253 

to  business  men  who  are  much  more  familiar  with  the 
subject  than  I  can  be — the  only  fear  I  have  ever  had  is 
that  we  might  overdo  it,  and  that  really  we  were  not 
exercising  the  conservatism  so  essential  to  substantial 
business.  You  would  doubtless  disagree  with  me  as  to 
this  fear  and  say  it  was  without  foundation.  I  trust  I 
am  mistaken,  and  I  am  told  by  business  men  every 
where  that  the  business  of  the  country  now  rests  upon 
a  substantial  basis,  and  that  you  are  really  only  making 
what  there  is  a  market  for ;  and  as  long  as  you  do  that, 
of  course,  you  are  doing  a  safe  business  and  our  markets 
are  going  to  increase.  [Applause.]  Our  products  are 
going  into  every  port,  and  the  reason  for  it  is  that  we 
make  the  best  products  and  undersell  everybody  else 
in  the  world. 

I  am  glad  to  join  in  your  welcome  to  the  representa 
tive  of  Mexico  and  the  representative  of  the  Canadian 
government.  [Great  applause.] 


CXLVIL 

SPEECH  AT  THE  FAIR  GROUNDS,  EVANSVILLE,  INDIANA, 
OCTOBER  11,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  participate  with 
you,  men  of  the  North  and  men  of  the  South,  in  this 
glad  reunion.  We  are  already  unified.  [Great  applause.] 
The  peace  which  Grant  and  Lee  made  at  Appomattox 
has  been  kept  [great  applause],  not  by  law  or  restraint, 
but  by  love  and  fraternal  regard  [applause] ;  and  the 
Union  to-day  rests,  not  in  force,  which  might  fail,  but  in 


254  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

the  hearts  of  the  people,  which  cannot  fail— a  union  that 
can  never  be  severed.  [Applause.]  If  I  have  been  per 
mitted  in  the  slightest  degree  to  help  in  the  work  of 
reconciliation  and  unification,  I  shall  hold  it  the  greatest 
honor  of  my  life.  [Great  applause.] 

When  the  call  was  made  for  troops  to  prosecute  the 
Spanish  War,  men  from  the  North  and  the  South,  with 
out  regard  to  creed,  political  or  religious,  or  nationality, 
rallied  to  the  standard  of  the  Union.  [Applause.]  The 
best  men  of  the  South  came — the  sons  of  the  old  Con 
federate  soldiers  j  the  best  men  of  the  North  came— the 
sons  of  the  old  soldiers  of  the  republic.  All  joined 
together  in  heart  and  hand  to  maintain  the  flag  of  their 
country  and  follow  wherever  it  might  lead.  [Great 
applause.]  We  have  been  more  than  reconciled— 
cemented  in  faith  and  affection;  and  our  reuniting 
has  been  baptized  in  the  best  blood  of  both  sections  of 
our  beloved  country.  [Cheers.]  If  a  gallant  Northern 
soldier— the  lamented  Miley— put  the  flag  up  at  Santi 
ago,  a  Southern  soldier— the  gallant  Brumby— put  it 
up  over  Manila.  [Great  applause.]  And,  my  fellow- 
citizens,  it  rests  upon  us  to  put  the  past  behind  us,  ex 
cept  as  a  sacred  and  glorious  memory,  and  to  look  to  the 
future. 

This  nation  relies  upon  the  patriotism  of  the  people 
of  the  North  and  South  to  stand  by  the  highest  ideal  of 
free  government  and  pursue  the  path  of  duty  and  des 
tiny  with  unfaltering  step  and  unfailing  courage. 

We  come  together,  not  as  a  third  of  a  century  ago, 
with  arms  in  our  hands,  but  with  love  for  each  other 
in  our  hearts,  ready  together  to  give  the  best  we  have 
to  the  cause  of  country.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  255 


CXLVIII. 

REMARKS  FROM  THE  TRAIN  AT  EVANSVILLE,  INDIANA, 
OCTOBER  11,  1899. 

J/?/  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  appear  only  for  a  moment,  in  response  to  your  re 
peated  calls,  that  I  may  express  to  all  of  you  my  very 
warm  appreciation  of  the  generous  welcome  which  has 
been  accorded  to  me  by  the  citizens  of  this  thriving 
city  of  Indiana.  I  am  not  only  grateful  for  the  re 
ception  given  by  the  citizens,  but  I  am  likewise  grate 
ful  for  the  reception  given  by  the  visitors  representing 
the  North  and  the  South  [applause],  now  forever  united. 
[Great  applause.] 

*•»•  The  strength  and  safety  of  this  great  nation  of  ours 
do  not  rest  in  armies  or  in  navies,  but  in  the  love  and 
loyalty  of  its  people.  [Applause.]  And  so  long  as  we 
have  the  people  behind  that,  so  long  as  we  have  the 
sentiment  that  goes  out  from  the  homes  and  the  firesides 
of  the  American  people,  so  long  will  we  have  the  best 
citizenship  and  at  last  the  best  country.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  ^—* 

CXLIX. 

SPEECH  AT  VINCENNES,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  11,  1899. 

3Iy  Fellow-Citizens : 

We  ought  to  be  a  very  happy  people.  We  are  a  very 
happy  people.  The  blessings  which  have  been  showered 


256  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

upon  us  have  been  almost  boundless,  and  no  nation  in 
the  world  has  more  to  be  thankful  for  than  ours.  We 
have  been  blessed  with  good  crops  and  fair  prices. 
Wages  and  employment  have  waited  upon  labor,  and, 
differing  from  what  it  was  a  few  years  ago,  labor  is 
not  waiting  on  the  outside  for  wages.  Our  financial 
condition  was  never  better  than  now.  We  have  good 
money  and  plenty  of  it  circulating  as  our  medium  of 
exchange.  National  banks  may  fail,  fluctuation  in 
prices  come  and  go,  but  the  money  of  the  country  re 
mains  always  good  j  and  when  you  have  a  dollar  of  it 
you  know  that  dollar  is  worth  one  hundred  cents. 

Not  only  have  we  prosperity,  but  we  have  patriotism ; 
and  what  more  do  we  want  ?  We  are  at  peace  with  all 
the  nations  of  the  world,  and  were  never  on  better  terms 
and  closer  relations  with  each  of  them  than  we  are  to 
day.  We  have  yet  some  trouble  in  the  Philippines,  but 
the  gallantry  of  the  brave  boys  who  have  gone  there 
will,  I  trust,  soon  put  down  that  rebellion  against  the 
sovereignty  of  the  United  States.  [Great  and  long- 
continued  applause.] 

CL. 

SPEECH  AT  TERRE  HAUTE,  INDIANA,  OCTOBER  11,  1899. 

My  Felloiv-Citizens : 

I  have  been  very  greatly  pleased,  as  I  have  journeyed 
through  your  State,  with  what  I  have  seen  and  heard— 
the  evidences  of  good  feeling  and  cheerfulness  on  the 
part  of  the  people,  and  of  prosperity  in  your  fields  and 
your  workshops.  It  afforded  me  much  satisfaction  to 
give  greeting  at  the  great  reunion  in  the  city  of  Evans- 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  257 

ville  to  the  soldiers  who  fought  against  each  other  from 
;61  to  '65.  There  I  saw  the  Blue  and  the  Gray  vying 
with  each  other  in  expressions  of  love  of  country  and 
devotion  to  the  flag.  I  saw,  also,  many  of  the  young  sol 
diers  of  the  Spanish  War  furnished  by  the  State  of 
Indiana,  and  I  therefore  saw  not  only  the  patriotism  of 
'61,  but  I  saw  the  patriotism  of  '98. 

It  gave  me  pleasure  also,  as  I  approached  your  city, 
to  see  the  working-men  from  your  great  mills  out  in 
line,  in  sight  of  the  train,  to  extend  me  greeting  and 
welcome.  And  not  the  least  of  the  pleasure  of  coming 
to  Terre  Haute  is  to  meet  my  old  and  valued  friend, 
the  veteran  patriot  and  statesman,  the  honored  citizen 
of  your  own  city,  Richard  W.  Thompson.  [Prolonged 
applause.  ] 

CLI. 
SPEECH  AT  DANVILLE,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  11,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

This  was  not  on  the  program.  I  had  no  idea  that  we 
were  to  stop  at  the  city  of  Danville,  and  much  less  did  I 
think  I  would  be  greeted  by  such  an  audience  of  my  fellow- 
citizens.  It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  meet  you  all, 
to  meet  you  at  the  home  of  my  distinguished  and  long 
time  friend,  Representative  Cannon.  [Applause.]  He 
is  the  man  to  whom  everybody  must  apply  if  he  wants 
an  appropriation.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  We  are 
collecting  just  now  a  million  dollars  for  every  working- 
day  of  the  month  from  our  internal  revenue  taxes,  and 
you  do  not  seem  to  be  very  much  oppressed  here  on  that 
account.  [Laughter.]  We  are  collecting  about  six 


258  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  every  working-day  of 
every  month  from  the  tariff  that  we  put  on  foreign  prod 
ucts  that  come  into  the  United  States  from  other  countries 
[great  applause],  and  that  does  not  seem  to  give  you  any 
serious  trouble  here.  [Laughter.]  That  vast  amount  of 
money  received  into  the  Treasury  daily  from  internal 
taxes  and  customs  tariffs  meets  the  ordinary  expenses 
of  the  government,  and  just  now  a  part  of  it  is  used  to 
pay  the  soldiers  and  sailors  who  are  engaged  in  the  dis 
tant  islands  suppressing  rebellion  against  the  sover 
eignty  of  the  United  States.  [Great  applause.]  And 
you  can  be  assured  that  not  a  dollar  of  that  will  go  out 
except  for  honest  purposes  while  your  distinguished 
representative  presides  over  the  Committee  on  Appro 
priations  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  [Long-con 
tinued  applause.] 

CLIL 
SPEECH  AT  HOOPESTOWN,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  11,  1899. 

Fellow-Citizens : 

We  have  seen  a  great  many  people  to-day;  we  have 
been  greeted  by  many,  many  thousands  of  our  fellow- 
citizens;  but  none  of  the  greetings  has  been  more 
hearty  than  that  which  you  accord  us  here  to-night. 
From  the  appearance  and  cheerfulness  of  the  people,  it 
has  seemed  to  me  that  all  things  must  be  going  well 
with  you;  that  you  have  employment  at  fair  wages; 
that  you  have  good  crops  at  fair  prices ;  and  that  your 
great  industry  here,  that  of  canning,  is  in  every  respect 
most  satisfactory  and  successful.  I  congratulate  you 
that  you  are  using  American  tin,  for  that  is  now 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  259 

one  of   the  great   enterprises  of  the  country.     [Great 
applause.] 

We  are  not  a  military  people.  We  love  peace.  We 
love  the  pursuits  of  peace.  We  are  not  a  military 
government,  and  never  will  become  one ;  it  is  against 
the  genius  of  our  institutions  and  the  spirit  of  the 
people.  The  government  of  the  United  States  rests 
in  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  the  people.  It  is  their 
government;  it  represents  them;  it  is  the  agent  of 
their  will;  and  while  we  are  not  a  military  govern 
ment  or  a  military  people,  we  never  lack  for  soldiers 
in  any  cause  which  the  people  espouse.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  From  the  days  of  the  Revolution  down  to 
the  present  hour,  in  every  instance  of  need  or  peril, 
the  citizens  of  the  United  States  have  rallied,  almost 
as  one  man,  to  fight  its  battles  and  defend  the  honor 
of  the  country.  [Applause.]  In  our  recent  war  with 
Spain,  the  people,  not  only  of  your  State,  but  of  every 
State  of  the  Union,  North  and  South,  rushed  forward 
by  hundreds  of  thousands  to  serve  their  country ;  and 
they  will  not  abate  their  patriotism  till  every  rebellion 
everywhere  and  by  whomsoever  conducted  shall  be 
put  down.  [Great  applause.]  Is  that  what  you  want, 
men  of  Illinois?  [General  cry  of  "  Yes  !v]  That  is 
what  is  being  done  and  what  will  be  done.  [Cries 
of  "  Good !  "]  Our  people  become  soldiers  of  the  re 
public  to  defend  with  their  lives  what  the}^  love ;  but 
the  moment  the  emergency  is  over,  that  moment  they 
rush  back  to  the  peaceful  walks  of  citizenship.  There 
never  was  a  grander,  more  sublime  scene  in  American 
history  than  at  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  When 
Appomattox  came,  with  the  peace  which  it  brought,  the 
mighty  army  of  two  million  six  hundred  thousand  men 


260  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

from  every  section  of  the  North  melted  back  into  cit 
izenship,  and  ever  since  have  been  upholding  as  good 
citizens  the  government  they  so  faithfully  served.  [Great 
and  long-continued  applause.] 


CLIII. 
SPEECH  AT  WATSEKA,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  11,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  feel  like  making  more  than  a  mere  passing  ac 
knowledgment  of  your  kindly  greeting.  I  recall  that 
in  this  community  and  county  were  some  of  my  best 
and  earliest  friends,  and  I  will  be  pardoned  if  I  say  that 
through  all  the  years  since  they  have  been  firm  and  un 
faltering  in  their  support  and  generous  in  upholding 
my  hands. 

The  demonstrations  which  we  have  witnessed  to-day, 
throughout  your  State  and  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  in 
dicate  the  deep  interest  which  the  people  feel  in  the 
affairs  of  the  government.  It  is  your  government.  It 
is  what  you  make  it.  Its  virtue  and  its  vigor  come 
from  you— come  from  the  firesides  of  our  country  j  and 
your  unceasing  vigilance  not  only  helps  the  public  ser 
vant,  but  improves  the  public  service.  Unhappy  will 
be  the  day  for  our  country  when  the  people  become 
indifferent  to  its  principles  and  its  mission ;  when  they 
lose  their  interest  or  relax  their  vigilance.  Permit  me 
to  say  that  those  who  serve  you  in  subordinate  places 
in  the  government  are  among  the  most  faithful  that  can 
be  found  anywhere.  The  enormous  sums  of  money  that 
are  collected  by  the  United  States,  the  vast  machinery 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  261 

scattered  from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other  for 
the  collection  and  disbursement  of  these  sums  year  in 
and  year  out,  show  even  a  smaller  percentage  of  loss  or 
waste  than  in  the  ordinary  business  occupations  of  life. 
Providence  has  blessed  us.  We  have  opportunities  that 
come  to  no  other  peoples  in  the  world.  Let  us  keep 
sacred  this  great  government  that  dispenses  its  bless 
ings  equally  to  all.  [Great  and  prolonged  applause.] 


CLIV. 

REMARKS  AT  RED  WING,  MINNESOTA, 
OCTOBER  1:2,  1899. 

Mi/  Fellow-Citizens  : 

In  the  moment  we  shall  remain  with  you,  I  desire  only 
to  express  my  appreciation  of  your  greeting. 

I  have  come  to  your  State  to  make  public  acknowledg 
ment  of  the  patriotism  of  your  people,  and  to  give  wel 
come  to  the  gallant  Thirteenth  Minnesota,  which  for  the 
last  twelve  months  has  been  upholding  the  sovereignty 
of  the  United  States  and  the  glorious  flag  of  our  Union. 
[Enthusiastic  applause.] 

As  I  have  passed  through  the  country  I  have  been 
glad  to  note  that  not  only  are  the  people  filled  with 
patriotism,  but  that  prosperity  everywhere  abounds, 
and  that  our  people  are  made  happy  by  steady  employ 
ment,  good  crops,  and  fair  prices.  [Great  applause,] 


262  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

CLV. 

ADDRESS  AT  MINNEAPOLIS,  MINNESOTA,  OCTOBER  12, 1899. 

Governor  Lind,  Mayor  Gray,  Members  of  the  Thirteenth 

Volunteer  Regiment,  and  my  Fellow-Citizens : 
I  have  come  from  the  capital  of  the  nation  that  I 
might  give  the  nation's  welcome  to  a  regiment  of 
the  nation's  defenders.  [Applause.]  I  have  come  to 
voice  the  love  and  gratitude  of  every  American  heart 
that  loves  the  flag.  [Applause.]  I  bid  you  welcome 
because  you  did  your  duty;  and  that  is  the  highest 
tribute  that  can  be  paid  to  any  soldier  in  the  world. 
[Great  applause.]  I  do  not  think  the  members  of 
this  regiment  themselves,  or  the  regiments  constituting 
the  Eighth  Army-Corps  in  the  Philippines,  realize  the 
importance  and  heroism  of  their  action  after  the 
treaty  of  peace  was  signed  and  ratified.  And  I 
want  to  say  to  you  men  and  to  Colonel  Summers— 
General  Summers  now,  because  of  his  gallantry  [ap 
plause]— that  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Eighth 
Army-Corps  sent  to  Washington  telling  me  they  would 
stay  in  the  Philippines  till  I  could  create  a  new  army  and 
send  it  there  to  take  their  place.  [Great  applause.]  I 
come  to  bid  you  welcome,  and  to  give  you  the  honor  of 
the  nation  because  you  have  sustained  its  flag  [applause] ; 
because  you  have  refused  to  stack  arms  and  to  sound 
a  retreat.  [Applause.]  And  you  have  come  back  having 
a  high  place  in  the  hearts  and  affections  of  the  American 
people,  and  gratitude  that  will  continue  for  all  time. 
[Applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  263 

You  have  also,  by  your  services,  added  much  to  the 
cause  of  humanity,  added  much  to  the  advancement  of 
civilization,  which  has  so  characterized  the  century  now 
fading  away. 

This  century  has  been  most  memorable  in  the  world's 
progress  and  history.  The  march  of  mankind  in  moral 
and  intellectual  advancement  has  been  onward  and  up 
ward.  The  growth  of  the  world's  material  interests  is 
so  vast  that  the  figures  would  almost  seem  to  be  drawn 
from  the  realm  of  imagination  rather  than  from  the 
field  of  fact.  All  peoples  have  felt  the  elevating  in 
fluences  of  the  century.  Humanity  and  home  have  been 
lifted  up.  Nations  have  been  drawn  closer  together  in 
feeling  and  interest  and  sentiment.  Contact  has  removed 
old  prejudices  at  home  and  abroad,  and  brought  about  a 
better  understanding,  which  has  destroyed  enmity  and 
promoted  amity.  Civilization  has  achieved  great  vic 
tories,  and  to  the  gospel  of  good  will  there  are  now  few 
dissenters.  The  great  powers,  under  the  inspiration  of 
the  Czar  of  Russia,  have  been  sitting  together  in  a  par 
liament  of  peace,  seeking  to  find  a  common  basis  for  the 
adjustment  of  controversies  without  war  and  waste. 
While  they  have  not  made  war  impossible,  they  have 
made  peace  more  probable,  and  have  emphasized  the 
universal  love  of  peace.  They  have  made  a  gain  for 
the  world's  repose ;  and  Americans,  while  rejoicing  in 
what  was  accomplished,  rejoice  also  for  their  partici 
pation  in  the  great  cause,  yet  to  be  advanced,  we  trust, 
to  more  perfect  fulfilment. 

The  century  has  blessed  us  as  a  nation.  While  it  has 
not  given  us  perfect  peace,  it  has  brought  us  constant 
and  ever-increasing  blessings,  and  imposed  upon  us  no 
humiliation  or  dishonor.  [Applause.] 


264  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

We  have  had  wars  with  foreign  powers,  and  the  un 
happy  one  at  home;  but  all  terminated  in  no  loss  of 
prestige  or  honor  or  territory,  but  a  gain  in  all.  [Great 
applause.] 

The  increase  of  our  territory  has  added  vastly  to  our 
strength  and  prosperity  without  changing  our  repub 
lican  character.  [Applause.]  It  has  given  wider  scope 
to  democratic  principles  and  enlarged  the  area  for  re 
publican  institutions.  [Applause.] 

I  sometimes  think  we  do  not  realize  what  we  have, 
and  the  solemn  trust  we  have  committed  to  our  keep 
ing.  The  study  of  geography  and  history  has  now 
more  than  a  passing  interest  to  the  American  people. 
It  is  worth  recalling  that  when  the  Federal  Union  was 
formed  we  held  909,050  square  miles  of  territory,  and 
in  less  than  one  hundred  years  we  have  grown  to 
3,845,694  square  miles.  [Great  applause.] 

The  first  acquisition,  in  1803,  known  as  the  Louisi 
ana  Purchase,  embraced  883,072  square  miles,  ex 
clusive  of  the  area  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Its 
vastness  and  value  will  be  best  understood  when  I  say 
that  it  comprises  the  entire  States  of  Arkansas,  Mis 
souri,  Iowa,  Nebraska,  North  and  South  Dakota,  and 
parts  of  the  States  of  Minnesota,  Kansas,  Colorado, 
Montana,  Wyoming,  Louisiana,  all  of  the  Indian  Terri 
tory,  and  part  of  Oklahoma  Territory.  It  would  seem 
almost  incredible  to  the  present  generation  that  this 
rich  addition  to  the  federal  domain  should  have  been 
opposed ;  and  yet  it  was  resisted  in  every  form  and  by 
every  kind  of  assault.  The  ceded  territory  was  char 
acterized  as  a  "  malarial  swamp,"  its  prairies  destitute 
of  trees  or  vegetation.  It  was  commonly  charged  that 
we  had  been  cheated  by  giving  fifteen  million  dollars 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  265 

for  a  territory  so  worthless  and  pestilentia^.  that  it  could 
never  be  inhabited  or  put  to  use  [laughter  and  applause] ; 
and  it  was  also  gravely  asserted  that  the  purchase  would 
lead  to  complications  and  wars  with  European  powers. 
In  the  debate  in  the  Senate  over  the  treaty  a  senator 
from  Connecticut  said : 

The  vast  and  unmanageable  extent  which  the  accession  of 
Louisiana  will  give  the  LTnited  States,  the  consequent  dispersion 
of  our  population,  and  the  destruction  of  that  balance  which  it  is 
so  important  to  maintain  between  the  Eastern  and  Western  States, 
threaten,  at  no  very  distant  day,  the  subversion  of  our  Union. 
[Laughter.  ] 

A  senator  from  Delaware  said  : 

But  as  to  Louisiana, —this  new,  immense,  unbounded  world,— if 
it  should  ever  be  incorporated  into  the  Union,  of  which  I  have  no 
idea,  and  which  can  only  be  done  by  amending  the  Constitution,  I 
believe  it  will  be  the  greatest  curse  that  could  at  present  befall  us. 
It  may  be  productive  of  innumerable  evils,  and  especially  of  one 
that  I  fear  to  ever  look  upon.  .  .  .  Thus  our  citizens  will  be  re 
moved  to  the  immense  distance  of  two  or  three  thousand  miles 
from  the  capital  of  the  Union,  where  they  will  scarcely  ever  feel 
the  rays  of  the  general  government ;  their  affections  will  become 
alienated ;  they  will  gradually  begin  to  view  us  as  strangers ;  they 
will  form  other  commercial  connections,  and  our  interests  will 
become  distinct.  .  .  .  And  I  do  say  that  under  existing  circum 
stances,  even  supposing  that  this  extent  of  territory  was  a  desir 
able  acquisition,  fifteen  millions  of  dollars  was  a  most  enormous 
sum  to  give. 

A  distinguished  representative  from  Virginia  said  he 
feared  the  effect  of  the  vast  extent  of  our  empire ;  he 
feared  the  effects  of  the  increased  value  of  labor,  the 
decrease  in  the  value  of  lands,  and  the  influence  of  cli 
mate  upon  our  citizens  who  should  migrate  thither.  He 
did  fear  (though  this  land  was  represented  as  flowing 
with  milk  and  honey)  that  this  Eden  of  the  New  World 


266  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

would  prove  a  cemetery  for  the  bodies  of  our  citizens  who 
emigrated  to  it.    [Laughter.] 

Imperialism,  as  it  was  termed,  had  a  chief  place  in  the 
catalogue  of  disasters  which  would  follow  the  ratification 
of  the  Louisiana  treaty,  and  it  was  alleged  that  this  was 
the  first  and  sure  step  to  the  creation  of  an  empire  and  the 
subversion  of  the  Constitution.  The  expression  "  plane 
tary  policy,"  which  is  now  employed  by  some  critics,  so 
far  as  I  have  been  able  to  discover,  first  appeared  here. 
Jefferson  was  made  the  subject  of  satirical  verse : 

See  him  commence,  land  speculator, 

And  buy  up  the  realm  of  nature, 

Towns,  cities,  Indians,  Spaniards,  prairies.  .  .  . 

The  opponents,  however,  were  in  the  minority,  and 
the  star  of  the  republic  did  not  set  [great  applause], 
and  the  mighty  West  was  brought  under  the  flag  of 
justice,  freedom,  and  opportunity.  [Continued  applause.] 

In  1819  we  added  69,749  square  miles,  which  now 
comprise  Florida  and  parts  of  Alabama,  Mississippi, 
and  Louisiana. 

In  1845  we  received  the  cession  of  Texas.  It  con 
tained  376,931  square  miles,  and  embraced  the  State  of 
Texas  and  parts  of  Oklahoma,  Kansas,  Colorado,  Wyo 
ming,  and  New  Mexico. 

The  next  cession  was  under  the  treaty  of  1848,  con 
taining  522,568  square  miles,  embracing  the  States  of 
California,  Nevada,  Utah,  and  parts  of  Colorado  and 
Wyoming,  and  of  the  Territories  of  Arizona  and  New 
Mexico. 

In  1853  we  acquired  by  the  Gadsden  Purchase  45,535 
square  miles,  which  embrace  parts  of  Arizona  and  New 
Mexico. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  267 

The  next  great  acquisition  was  that  of  Alaska  in  1867, 
containing  599,446  square  miles.  This  treaty,  like  that 
for  the  Louisiana  Purchase,  was  fiercely  resisted.  When 
the  House  had  under  consideration  the  bill  appropriat 
ing  the  sum  of  $7,200,000,  the  amount  of  purchase-money 
for  Alaska  agreed  upon  by  the  treaty,  the  minority  re 
port  on  that  bill  quoted  approvingly  an  article  which 
characterized  Alaska  as  a  "  terra  incognita,"  and  stated 
"  that  persons  well  informed  as  to  Alaska  are  ungrateful 
enough  to  hint  that  we  could  have  bought  a  much 
superior  elephant  in  Siam  or  Bombay  for  one  hundredth 
part  of  the  money,  with  not  a  ten  thousandth  part  of 
the  expense  incurred  in  keeping  the  animal  in  proper 
condition."  [Laughter.] 

The  minority  report  proceeded  to  say  that 

The  committee,  having  considered  the  various  questions  involved 
and  the  evidence  in  regard  to  this  country  under  consideration,  is 
forced  to  the  conclusion  that  the  possession  of  the  country  is  of  no 
ralitc  to  the  government  of  the  United  States.  That  it  will  be  a 
source  of  weakness  instead  of  power,  and  a  constant  annual  ex 
pense  for  which  there  will  be  no  adequate  return.  That  it  has  no 
capacity  as  an  agricultural  country.  That  so  far  as  known  it  has  no 
value  as  a  mineral  country.  .  .  .  That  its  fur  trade  is  of  insignifi 
cant  value  to  us  as  a  nation,  and  will  speedily  come  to  an  end. 
That  the  fisheries  are  of  doubtful  value,  and  that  whatever  the 
value  of  its  fisheries,  its  fur  trade,  its  timber,  or  its  minerals,  they 
were  all  open  to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  under  existing 
treaties.  That  the  right  to  govern  a  nation  or  nations  of  savages, 
in  a  climate  unfit  for  the  habitation  of  civilized  men,  was  not 
worthy  of  purchase.  .  .  .  They  therefore  report  the  following 
resolution  :  Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  appropriate  money 
for  the  purchase  of  Russian  America. 

In  the  debate  in  the  House  a  distinguished  represen 
tative  from  Massachusetts  said : 


268  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

If  we  are  to  pay  for  Russia's  friendship  this  amount,  I  desire  to 
give  her  the  $7,200,000  and  let  her  keep  Alaska.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  at  any  time  within  the  last  twenty  years  we  could  have  had 
Alaska  for  the  asking,  provided  we  would  have  taken  it  as  a  gift ; 
but  no  man,  except  one  insane  enough  to  buy  the  earthquakes  of 
St.  Thomas  and  the  ice-fields  of  Greenland,  could  be  found  to  agree 
to  any  other  terms  for  its  acquisition  to  this  country. 

To  this  treaty  the  opponents  were  in  the  minority; 
and  that  great,  rich  territory,  from  which  we  have  drawn 
many  and  many  times  over  its  purchase  price,  and  with 
phenomenal  wealth  yet  undeveloped,  is  ours  in  spite  of 
their  opposition.  [Great  applause.] 

In  the  last  year  we  have  added  to  the  territory  be 
longing  to  the  United  States  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  one 
of  the  gems  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  containing  6740  square 
miles;  Porto  Rico,  containing  3600  square  miles; 
Guam,  containing  175  square  miles ;  and  the  Philippine 
archipelago,  embracing  approximately  143,000  square 
miles.  [Great  applause.]  This  latest  acquisition  is 
about  one  sixth  the  size  of  the  original  thirteen  States. 
It  is  larger  than  the  combined  area  of  New  Jersey, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South 
Carolina,  and  the  District  of  Columbia.  It  exceeds  in 
area  all  of  the  New  England  States.  It  is  almost  as 
large  as  Washington  and  Oregon  combined,  and 
greater  than  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Illinois  united;  three 
times  larger  than  New  York,  and  three  and  one  half 
times  larger  than  the  State  of  Ohio. 

The  treaty  of  peace  with  Spain,  which  gave  us  the 
Philippines,  Porto  Rico,  and  Guam,  met  with  some  op 
position  in  the  Senate,  but  was  ratified  by  that  body  by 
more  than  a  two  thirds  vote ;  while  in  the  House  the 
appropriation  of  twenty  million  dollars  was  made  with 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  269 

little  or  no  opposition.  [Great  applause.]  As  in  the 
case  of  the  Louisiana  Purchase  and  Alaska,  the  oppo 
nents  of  the  treaty  were  in  the  minority,  and  the  star 
of  hope  to  an  oppressed  people  was  not  extinguished. 
[Continued  applause.] 

The  future  of  these  new  possessions  is  in  the  keeping 
of  Congress,  and  Congress  is  the  servant  of  the  people. 
That  they  will  be  retained  under  the  benign  sovereignty 
of  the  United  States  I  do  not  permit  myself  to  doubt. 
[Enthusiastic  applause.]  That  they  will  prove  a  rich  and 
invaluable  heritage  I  feel  assured.  That  Congress  will 
provide  for  them  a  government  which  will  bring  them 
blessings,  which  will  promote  their  material  interests  as 
well  as  advance  their  people  in  the  path  of  civilization  and 
intelligence,  I  confidently  believe.  They  will  not  be  gov 
erned  as  vassals  or  serfs  or  slaves ;  they  will  be  given  a 
government  of  liberty,  regulated  by  law  [great  applause], 
honestly  administered,  without  oppressing  exactions, 
taxation  without  tyranny,  justice  without  bribe,  educa 
tion  without  distinction  of  social  condition,  freedom  of 
religious  worship,  and  protection  in  "  life,  liberty,  and  the 
pursuit  of  happiness."  [Great  and  long-continued  ap 
plause.] 

CLYI. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  AUDITORIUM,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNESOTA, 
OCTOBER  12,  1899.. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  have  been  more  than  gratified  to  meet  the  people 
of  the  State  of  Minnesota,  and  it  gives  me  special  and 
peculiar  pleasure  to  meet  with  my  friends  and  fellow- 


270  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

citizens  of  the  great  city  of  St.  Paul.  The  demonstra 
tion  of  patriotism  that  has  been  seen  on  every  hand  as 
I  have  traveled  through  the  East  and  the  West  into 
your  State  is  most  inspiring,  and  I  never  look  into  the 
faces  of  a  great  American  audience  that  I  do  not  feel 
that  the  free  institutions  of  the  United  States  are  for 
ever  safe  in  their  hands.  [Great  applause.] 

The  patriotism  of  the  American  people  takes  the  place 
of  a  large  standing  army.  We  do  not  need  such  an 
army  in  the  United  States.  We  can  have  an  army  on 
any  notice  if  the  nation  is  in  peril  or  its  standard  is 
threatened.  [Applause.]  Eager  is  every  American  citi 
zen  to  answer  the  call  to  arms,  and  just  as  eager  to  come 
back  to  the  paths  of  peace  when  the  emergency  is  past. 
[Great  applause.] 

I  was  glad  to  welcome  back  to  the  State  of  Minnesota 
the  Thirteenth  Volunteer  Infantry.  [Great  applause.] 
I  was  glad  they  did  not  want  to  come  home  until  the 
government  of  the  United  States  was  ready  to  dispense 
with  their  services.  [Continued  applause.]  I  was  glad 
that,  no  matter  who  advised  otherwise,  they  did  not  pro 
pose  to  beat  a  retreat  [great  applause] ;  and  there  is  not 
a  man,  woman,  or  child  in  the  State  of  Minnesota  to-day 
who  is  not  proud  that  they  stayed  there  until  their 
places  were  filled  by  other  troops.  [Great  applause.] 
The  American  soldier  never  runs  away  from  duty  [ap 
plause],  even  when  his  time  is  up.  [Great  applause.] 
The  other  day,  when  that  gallant  Tennessee  regiment 
that  had  been  in  the  Philippines  for  more  than  a  year 
had  embarked  upon  the  good  ship  Sherman  to  come  home, 
and  our  forces  at  Cebu  were  attacked,  they  got  off  at 
once  and  went  and  shed  their  blood  with  the  other  sol 
diers  to  maintain  American  honor.  [Great  applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  271 

So  I  sa}r  we  do  not  need  large  standing  armies,  for  we 
liave  in  the  hearts  of  the  American  people  a  purpose  to 
do  and  die,  if  need  be,  in  the  service  of  the  republic. 
[Great  applause.] 

I  am  glad  you  have  prosperity  here.  [Applause.] 
You  all  look  like  it.  [Applause.]  You  act  like  it,  and  I 
hope  it  has  come  to  stay.  [Great  applause.] 


CLVIL 

SPEECH  AT  SUPERIOR,  WISCONSIN,   OCTOBER   13,  1899. 

My  Fellwv-Gitizens : 

It  is  plain  to  see  that  the  people  of  Superior  and 
vicinity  love  their  country.  The  demonstration  of  the 
morning  would  indicate  to  the  most  casual  observer 
that  these  people,  men,  women,  and  children,  are  loyal 
to  the  flag  and  faithful  in  upholding  its  honor  wherever 
it  has  been  raised.  [Great  applause.] 

To  come  again  to  Superior  gives  me  special  plea 
sure.  I  remember  years  ago  to  have  been  a  guest  of 
your  city.  I  remember  the  warmth  of  my  greeting 
then,  but  this  far  surpasses  anything  that  has  gone  be 
fore  ;  and  no  reception,  great  as  it  has  been,  in  our  long 
journey  has  been  more  beautiful  or  impressive  than  the 
one  you  have  given  us  here  to-day.  [Enthusiastic  ap 
plause.] 

I  have  been  glad  to  note  your  progress  and  your  pros 
perity;  the  difference  between  your  condition  when  I 
was  last  here  and  your  condition  now.  The  country  is 
altogether  too  busy  with  active  industry  and  thriving 
commerce  to  listen  any  longer  to  the  prophet  of  evil. 


272  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

[Applause.]  We  are  engaged  now  in  looking  after  our 
selves  and  in  taking  care  of  ourselves;  and  we  have 
discovered  that  the  best  statesmanship  for  America  is 
that  which  looks  to  the  highest  interests  of  American 
labor  and  the  highest  development  of  American  re 
sources.  [Great  applause.] 

The  people  of  this  country  are  not  only  prosperous, 
but  they  are  patriotic.  No  State  in  the  Union  was  more 
prompt  to  answer  the  call  of  country  than  yours.  The 
whole  Union,  North  and  South,  quickly  responded  to 
the  call  to  arms,  and  when  peace  came  were  as  quick 
to  enter  the  paths  of  peace.  [Applause.] 

I  thank  you  most  heartily.  I  thank  the  school-girls 
and  the  school-boys.  I  thank  you  all  for  this  demon 
stration,  not  for  me,  but  for  the  country  and  the  flag. 
[Long-continued  and  enthusiastic  applause.] 


CLVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  DULUTH,  MINNESOTA  OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

My  welcome  to  Duluth  has  been  unique  and  most 
gracious— greeted  at  the  station  by  the  people  of  your 
city  and  vicinity,  escorted  by  my  comrades  of  the  Civil 
War  on  the  right  and  the  left,  led  by  the  young  soldiers 
of  the  Spanish  War,  and  then  the  final  crowning  con 
summation  of  it  all,  the  welcome  of  the  school-children 
of  the  city  of  Duluth  around  and  about  the  beau 
tiful  temple  of  learning,  open  to  all,  rich  and  poor 
alike.  [Great  applause.] 

All  that  we  have  seen  about  us  this  morning  typifies 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  273 

and  illustrates  the  government  of  the  United  States.  It 
rests  in  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  the  people.  It  is 
defended,  whenever  it  is  assailed,  by  its  citizen  soldiery ; 
and  it  furnishes  education  free  to  all  the  young,  that 
they  may  take  upon  themselves  the  great  trust  of 
carrying  forward,  without  abatement  of  vigor,  this 
fabric  of  government.  [Enthusiastic  applause.]  No 
picture  more  beautiful  was  ever  presented  to  human 
vision  than  the  one  we  see  before  us  to-day.  [Con 
tinued  applause.]  The  schools  of  our  country  lie  at 
the  very  foundation  of  our  institutions.  They  are 
the  very  citadel  of  our  power.  They  constitute  the 
corner-stone  of  our  safety  and  security.  Every  boy 
and  every  girl  in  the  United  States  can  have  an  educa 
tion  without  money  and  without  price.  They  can 
have  an  education  that  equips  them  for  every  duty 
of  life ;  and  I  want  to  tell  you,  young  people,  while  you 
have  an  opportunity  draw  deeply  from  this  fountain  of 
learning,  for  when  you  get  older  there  is  less  time  for 
the  pursuit  of  knowledge  in  our  busy,  rushing  life.  Fill 
your  minds  with  useful  knowledge ;  and  I  see  you  are 
filling  your  hearts  brimful  of  patriotism  as  you  hold 
the  flag  of  your  country  in  your  hands.  [Enthusiastic 
applause.] 

Side  by  side  with  education  must  be  character.  Do 
not  forget  that.  There  is  nothing  in  this  world  that 
lasts  so  long  or  wears  so  well  as  good  character ;  and  it 
is  something  everybody  can  have.  It  is  just  as  easy  to 
get  into  the  habit  of  doing  good  as  it  is  to  get  into  the 
habit  of  doing  evil.  With  education  and  integrity  every 
avenue  of  honor,  every  door  of  usefulness,  every  path 
way  of  fame  and  favor  are  open  to  all  of  you. 

I  thank  you  more  than  I  can  find  words  to  express 


274  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

for  this  warm,  generous,  heartfelt  welcome— not  to  me, 
not  to  the  Chief  Executive  of  the  nation,  but  to  the  nation 
itself  as  embodying  your  love,  your  faith  and  purpose. 
[Enthusiastic  and  prolonged  applause.] 


CLIX. 

REMARKS  AT  AITKIN,  MINNESOTA,  OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

I  esteem  it  a  very  great  honor  to  meet  the  people  of 
the  country  whom  by  their  suffrages  I  am  permitted  to 
serve.  I  count  it  of  very  great  value  to  the  public 
servant  to  meet  with  the  people;  for  the  people  have 
but  one  public  aim,  and  that  is  high  and  noble.  What 
you  all  want,  no  matter  what  may  be  your  party  aline- 
ments — what  you  all  want  for  your  country  is  the  great 
est  good  for  the  greatest  number.  I  never  meet  the 
people  face  to  face  without  gaining  from  them  inspira 
tion  for  duty.  Your  cheerful  faces,  kind  greetings,  and 
generous  words  give  me  encouragement  for  the  great 
responsibilities  which  you,  two  years  and  a  half  ago, 
placed  upon  me.  I  assure  you  that  I  have  but  one  aim, 
and  that  is  to  serve  you  faithfully,  and  help  to  main 
tain  the  honor  and  integrity  of  the  government,  which 
dispenses  the  blessings  of  our  free  institutions  equally 
to  all  the  people.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  275 

CLX. 

SPEECH  AT  BRAINERD,  MINNESOTA,  OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

To  this  welcome  from  my  fellow-citizens  of  Minnesota 
I  cannot  fittingly  respond. 

Our  government  emanates  from  the  people,  whether 
it  be  the  government  of  the  nation,  the  State,  the 
county,  the  township,  or  the  village.  All  power  comes 
from  the  people,  and  all  public  officers  must  bear  their 
commissions  as  administrators  of  their  affairs.  Back  of 
the  governments  to  which  I  have  referred  is  the  home, 
which  is  the  ideal  government  after  all,— the  family, 
bound  together  by  ties  of  common  interest  and  affection, 
—the  American  home,  the  school-house  for  the  educa 
tion  of  American  boys  and  girls  in  the  duties  of  citizen 
ship.  And  from  this  home,  which  lies  at  the  foundation 
of  our  public  institutions,  the  governments  draw  their 
virtue  and  integrity.  The  education  that  comes  from 
the  home  touches  all  our  lives  and  stays  with  us  as  long 
as  we  live.  There  is  not  a  man  anywhere  in  our  country 
who,  remembering  the  affectionate  counsels  of  his 
mother,  has  not  been  helped  in  resisting  wrong  and 
adhering  to  right.  [Great  applause.]  It  is  that  Ameri 
can  home,  where  love  is  found  and  virtue  presides,  that 
is  the  hope  of  our  republic. 

And  after  that  are  the  schools  of  the  country.  They 
educate  men  for  citizenship  and  for  statesmanship  j  and 
this  country  is  safe  so  long  as  we  preserve  the  honor 
and  integrity  of  the  home  and  continue  public  education 


276  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

in  nation  and  in  State.  It  is  from  these  homes  and 
schools  that  the  brave  boys  went  out  from  Minnesota  in 
the  Civil  War  [applause],  and  again  in  the  Spanish  War, 
responding  with  an  alacrity  unprecedented  to  the  call 
of  country  to  fight  its  battles  and  uphold  its  honor. 
One  of  the  greatest  pleasures  of  my  life,  my  country 
men,  was  yesterday  to  welcome  in  the  city  of  Minne 
apolis  the  Thirteenth  Minnesota,  that  had  been  for  many 
months  in  the  Philippines  carrying  the  standard  of  the 
Union,  which  they  left  there,  without  stain,  in  other 
hands.  [Great  applause.] 

Wherever  the  flag  goes,  there  go  education  and  civi 
lization.     [Enthusiastic  applause.] 


CLXI. 

REMARKS  AT  STAPLES,  MINNESOTA,  OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

It  has  given  me  very  great  pleasure,  in  traveling  through 
your  State,  to  be  welcomed,  as  I  have  been  at  every 
hand,  by  the  warm  hearts  of  your  people,  and  to  ob 
serve  your  progress  and  prosperity.  You  became  a 
part  of  the  Federal  Union  as  a  State  in  1858,  forty-one 
years  ago.  You  have  not  only  added  to  the  wealth  and 
progress  and  prosperity  of  the  nation  in  peace,  but  you 
have  contributed  your  share  to  bring  honor  and  glory 
to  the  nation  in  war.  You  furnished  your  full  quota 
in  1861,  when  you  were  but  three  years  old  as  a  State ; 
and  when  the  Spanish  War  came,  this  State  furnished 
more  than  its  quota,  sending  to  the  front  fifty -five  hun 
dred  of  the  best  young  men  from  your  homes  and 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLBY.  277 

communities.  Wherever  they  were,  whether  in  the 
field  during  the  Civil  War,  or  in  Luzon,  they  always 
upheld  the  flag.  The  Thirteenth  Minnesota  has  come 
back  to  you,  bringing  added  laurels  to  the  State. 
The  flag  of  our  country  that  floats  over  the  Philippines 
floats  in  honor  for  liberty  and  humanity  and  for  the 
American  name.  [Great  applause.] 


CLXII. 

SPEECH  AT  WADENA,  MINNESOTA,  OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

The  people  of  this  country,  differing  from  many 
countries  in  the  world,  are  masterful  in  administration 
and  legislation.  They  change  policies  and  adminis 
trations.  They  make  and  unmake  Presidents  and 
Congresses  and  legislatures;  and  nothing  is  ever  per 
manently  settled,  so  far  as  the  governmental  policy  is 
concerned,  until  it  is  settled  in  the  consciences  of  the 

pple  and  by  their  enlightened  judgment. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  in  the  habit  of  saying  that  the  safest 
tribunal  on  earth  was  the  people ;  and  at  one  of  the 
most  critical  mriods  of  our  Civil  War  he  uttered  these 
great  words :  f"  If  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  nations,  with 
his  eternal  truth  and  justice,  be  on  your  side  of  the 
North,  or  on  yours  of  the  South,  that  truth  and  that 
justice  will  surely  prevail  by  the  judgment  of  this  great 
tribunal  of  the  American  people."  J  And  so  all  poli 
cies  and  all  purposes  of  President  or  Congress  must 
finally  be  submitted  to  the  people,  and  their  judgment, 
when  constitutionally  rendered,  is  the  law  of  the  land. 


278  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

It  is  therefore  a  great  power  that  the  people  possess,  and 
that  power  is  used  after  the  most  careful  investigation 
and  consideration  of  great  public  questions,  and  has  ever 
been  for  the  right. 

We  are  in  the  Philippines.  Our  flag  is  there,  and  our 
flag  is  never  raised  anywhere  for  oppression.  [Great 
applause.]  It  floats  for  liberty  wherever  it  is  raised. 
[Great  applause.]  And  wherever  it  is  assaulted  in  the 
hands  of  the  men  who  wear  the  uniform  of  the  United 
States,  that  moment  the  whole  nation  rises  to  its  defense. 
[Enthusiastic  and  long-continued  applause.] 


CLXIII. 

REMARKS  AT  DETROIT  CITY,  MINNESOTA, 
OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

Of  the  many  receptions  we  have  had,  as  we  have 
journeyed  through  your  State  and  other  States,  none 
has  been  more  hearty  or  more  cheering  or  assuring 
than  the  welcome  you  give  us  here  to-night.  All  these 
receptions  have  been  public  ones,— the  people  them 
selves,  the  old,  the  young,  the  boys  and  the  girls  of  the 
schools,— and  I  assure  you  that  they  have  cheered  my 
heart  and  given  me  strength  for  the  great  responsibil 
ities  resting  upon  me.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  279 

CLXIY. 
SPEECH  AT  FARGO,  NORTH  DAKOTA,  OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

Mr.  Mayor,  Senator  Jlansbrough,  Members  of  the  First 
North  Dakota  Volunteers,  and  m\j  Fellow- Citizens  : 

The  last  eighteen  months  have  borne  impressive  tes 
timony  of  the  patriotism  of  the  American  people.  The 
call  for  two  hundred  thousand  troops  was  promptly 
responded  to  by  the  people  of  the  United  States,  without 
respect  to  party,  creed,  section,  or  nationality.  [Great 
applause.  Cries  of  "  Good  !  "]  The  alacrity  of  enlist 
ment  and  the  celerity  of  execution  have  few  if  any  paral 
lels  in  the  military  annals  of  the  world.  [Applause.! 
We  did  not  go  to  war  until  every  effort  at  peace  was 
exhausted,  and  when  war  came  we  all  thought  the  sooner 
it  was  ended  the  better  for  all  concerned.  [Applause.] 

I  have  come  here  to-night,  traveling  a  long  distance, 
that  I  might  meet  the  people  of  this  new  and  growing 
State— a  State  which  I  had  the  honor,  as  a  member  of  the 
national  House  of  Representatives,  to  vote  to  admit  as  a 
sister  into  the  national  family.  [Great  applause.  A 
voice,  "You  're  not  ashamed  of  it,  are  you?'']  On  the 
contrary,  I  am  proud  of  it  [applause],  and  prouder  than 
ever  for  the  vote  I  gave  for  her  admission.  [Applause.] 
I  come  also  to  speak  of  the  patriotism  of  the  State 
of  North  Dakota;  not  only  of  the  patriotism  of  the 
men  who  served  in  the  Philippines,  but  of  those  brave 
soldiers  of  your  State  who,  less  fortunate  than  the 
Manila  volunteers,  were  not  able  to  have  fighting 
service  in  the  field.  They  did  their  duty,  as  you  did 


280  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

yours;  and  so,  too,  all  the  volunteers  throughout  the 
United  States,  all  of  them  eager  to  go  to  the  front  and 
do  battle  with  the  enemy,  like  you  who  met  the  enemy, 
have  won  the  lasting  gratitude  of  the  American  people. 
[Great  applause.]  I  have  come  especially  that  I  might 
look  into  the  faces  of  the  North  Dakota  volunteers  [con 
tinued  applause]— the  two  battalions  who  saw  service 
on  the  battle-line  in  Luzon.  I  came  that  I  might  speak 
to  them  the  welcome  and  the  "Well  done."  You  did 
your  duty  and  you  filled  my  heart  with  joy  [applause] 
when  you,  with  the  other  volunteers  and  regulars  of 
the  Eighth  Corps,  sent  me  word  as  President  that  you 
would  remain  at  the  battle-front  in  Luzon  until  a  new 
army  could  be  created  to  take  your  place.  [Enthusiastic 
and  prolonged  applause.]  You  refused  to  beat  retreat 
or  strike  your  colors  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy  [great 
applause],  no  matter  who  advised  you  to  come  home. 
You  said,  "  We  will  stay  and  keep  the  flag  stainless  in 
the  presence  of  the  enemy."  [Great  applause.]  And, 
my  fellow-citizens,  no  soldier  ever  had  a  more  delicate 
or  trying  duty.  This  army,  of  which  this  fragment 
from  your  State  formed  a  part,  remained  in  Luzon, 
waiting,  first  for  the  treaty  of  peace  which  was  being 
negotiated  in  Paris,  then  for  its  ratification  by  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  then  until  the  exchange 
of  ratifications  between  the  United  States  and  Spain— 
waiting  through  all  that  long  period,  accepting  the  in 
solence  of  the  insurgents  with  a  patient  dignity  which 
characterized  the  American  soldiers,  who  were  under  the 
orders  of  the  Executive  that  they  must  not  strike  a  blow, 
pending  the  treaty  of  peace,  except  in  defense.  [Great 
applause.]  I  say  they  bore  these  taunts  with  a  patience 
sublime.  We  never  dreamed  that  the  little  body  of  in- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  281 

surgents  whom  we  had  just  emancipated  from  oppres 
sion — we  never  for  a  moment  believed  that  they  would 
turn  upon  the  flag  that  had  sheltered  them  against  Spain. 
[Great  applause.]  So  our  soldiers  patiently  bore, 
through  the  long  months,  the  insults  of  that  band  of 
misguided  men  under  the  orders  of  an  ambitious 
leader.  Then  the  insurgent  chief  ordered  an  attack 
upon  our  line,  and  our  boys  made  gallant  defense. 
[Enthusiastic  applause.]  But  I  want  to  do  them  the 
credit  to  say,  here  in  the  presence  of  their  neighbors 
and  their  friends,  their  fathers  and  their  mothers,  that 
they  forbore  all  things  rather  than  disobey  an  order 
from  the  government  they  were  serving.  [Cries  of 
"  Good  !  "  and  great  applause.] 

The  leader  of  the  insurgent  forces  says  to  the  Ameri 
can  government,  "You  c:m  have  peace  if  you  will  give 
us  independence."  Peace  for  independence,  he  says. 
He  had  another  price  than  that  for  peace  once  before 
[laughter],  but  the  United  States  pays  no  gold  for  peace. 
[Enthusiastic  applause.]  We  never  gave  a  bribe  in  all 
our  history,  and  we  will  not  now  commence  to  do  it. 
[Great  applause.]  Our  flag  is  there.  [Applause.]  Sol 
diers  of  North  Dakota,  you  left  it  there  in  the  hands  of 
those  who  took  your  places,  without  blot  and  with  honor. 
[Applause.]  Wherever  that  standard  is  raised,  whether 
in  the  western  or  in  the  eastern  hemisphere,  it  stands 
for  liberty,  civilization,  and  humanity.  [Long-continued 
applause.] 

But  I  have  already  talked  too  long.  [General  cry  of 
"  Go  on !  "]  This  nation  for  nearly  a  century  has  not 
compromised  liberty  [a  voice,  "  No,  sir ;  and  never 
will !  "] ;  and  Abraham  Lincoln  [applause]  spoke  in  1863 
the  proclamation  of  liberty  to  all  men  beneath  our  flag 


282  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

in  the  United  States  [applause] ;  and  at  Appomattox 
Court-House  Grant  made  that  paperproclamation  a  living 
fact.  [Applause.]  Our  flag  stands  for  liberty  wherever 
it  floats  j  and  we  propose  to  put  sixty-five  thousand 
men  behind  that  flag  in  Luzon  [applause],  to  maintain 
the  authority  of  the  United  States  and  uphold  the  sov 
ereignty  of  the  republic  in  the  interest  of  civilization 
and  humanity.  [Applause.]  We  accept  the  responsi 
bility  of  duty  at  whatever  cost  it  imposes.  [Long-con 
tinued  applause.] 

CLXV. 

SPEECH  AT  WAHPETON,  NORTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  13,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

I  have  had  great  pleasure  in  passing  through  your 
State  to-day— the  first  visit  which  I  have  ever  made  to 
this  new  commonwealth.  It  is  one  of  the  newest  of  the 
Federal  Union.  I  have  been  impressed  with  the  pa 
triotism  of  your  people,  and  also  with  the  prosperity  and 
the  good  feeling  which  we  found  on  every  hand.  Ad 
mitted  as  a  State  only  ten  years  ago,  you  have  made 
almost  marvelous  progress  in  population  and  develop 
ment.  Your  population,  I  am  sure,  has  doubled  in  the 
last  ten  years,  while  the  products  of  your  fields  in  a 
single  year  have  mounted  as  high  as  thirty  millions  of 
dollars.  These  vast  products  have  gone  from  your  rich 
fields,  and  in  turn  there  have  come  back  thirty  millions  of 
dollars  in  gold,  to  enrich  the  producer  and  pay  the  wages 
of  labor.  I  am  glad  to  note  that  the  voice  of  despair 
is  no  longer  heard  in  North  Dakota,  and  the  prophet  of 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  283 

evil  no  longer  commands  confidence,  because  he  has  been 
proved  to  be  a  false  prophet.  Your  mortgages  are 
diminishing  and  your  markets  are  increasing.  The 
hum  of  industry  gladdens  the  heart,  and  the  hammer  of 
the  sheriff  at  public  sales  is  less  frequently  heard  in  the 
home.  We  are  a  great  country,  and  you  are  one  of  the 
great  States  of  this  great  Union. 

It  was  my  pleasure  to-day  to  welcome  back  to  your 
State,  in  behalf  of  the  nation,  the  gallant  boys  of  the 
First  Dakota,  who  did  such  splendid  service  in  Luzon. 
[Great  applause.]  Your  city  furnished  one  of  the  com 
panies.  They  have  made  not  only  a  splendid  record  for 
themselves,  but  they  have  added  a  new  and  glorious 
page  to  American  history,  and  great  honor  to  American 
arms.  I  doubt  if  there  is  a  man,  woman,  or  child  in 
the  State  of  North  Dakota  who  is  not  proud  of  that 
regiment,  and  prouder  still  that  they  remained  on  the 
firing-line  when  there  were  many  people  who  wanted 
them  to  come  home.  [Enthusiastic  applause.]  If  there 
is  anything  in  this  world  we  like  it  is  courage  and 
heroism ;  and  if  there  is  anything  that  an  American 
boy  will  never  do,  it  is  to  desert  his  colors  when  his 
country  is  in  peril.  [Great  applause.]  The  truth  about  it 
is,  the  soldiers  of  the  Spanish  War  are,  for  the  most  part, 
the  sons  of  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  War,  and  the  pa 
triotism,  pluck,  vim,  and  vigor  shown  by  your  boys  in 
Luzon  were  only  what  we  found  in  that  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  from  1861  to  1865.  [Applause.] 

I  thank  you,  my  fellow-citizens,  for  this  greeting.  It 
has  been  especially  gratifying  to  me  to  meet  the  neigh 
bors  and  friends  and  fellow-citizens  of  your  United 
States  Senator  [Senator  McCumber]  at  his  home. 
[Long-continued  applause.] 


284  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CLXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  ABERDEEN,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

Mr.  Mayor,  Members  of  the  First  South  Dakota  Volunteers, 
and  my  Felloiv-Citizens : 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  join  with  your 
fellow-citizens  of  the  State  of  South  Dakota,  your 
friends,  your  families  and  neighbors,  in  this  welcome 
to  your  home.  We  are  not  a  nation  of  hero-worshipers, 
and  yet  we  are  a  nation  of  seventy-five  millions  of  grate 
ful  people  who  love  valor  and  reward  the  heroic  deeds 
of  our  soldiers  and  sailors  on  land  and  sea. 

I  think  I  appreciate  quite  as  much  as,  if  not  more  than, 
most  of  my  fellow-citizens  the  value  of  the  services  this 
regiment,  with  its  associates  of  the  Eighth  Corps,  ren 
dered  the  country  in  its  hour  of  great  emergency.  [En 
thusiastic  applause.]  And  I  am  here  to  speak,  not  for 
myself  alone,  but  for  the  American  people,  in  expression 
of  gratitude  and  thanks  for  your  heroic  action  in  the 
island  of  Luzon.  [Applause.]  This  morning  a  despatch 
from  your  commander,  the  major-general  commanding 
in  the  Philippines,  through  the  Secretary  of  War,  tells 
me  of  the  gallantry  of  Colonel  Frost  and  his  First 
Regiment  [great  applause],  tells  me  that  from  early  in 
February  until  late  in  June  they  stood  on  the  firing- 
line,  and  no  enemy  could  withstand  their  resistless 
courage  and  gallantry  [continued  applause].  Nor  do 
I  forget,  soldiers  of  the  republic,  soldiers  of  the  First 
South  Dakota,  that  when  the  treaty  of  peace  was  rati- 


OF  WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  285 

fied  and  the  exchange  of  ratifications  was  completed 
with  Spain,  every  one  of  you  was  entitled  to  be  mustered 
out  of  the  service  of  the  United  States.  [Applause.] 
And  I  can  never  express  to  you  the  cheer  you  gave  my 
heart  when  you  sent  word  that  you  would  remain  until 
a  new  army  could  be  formed  to  take  your  places.  [En 
thusiastic  and  long-continued  applause.]  The  members 
of  the  First  South  Dakota  and  their  comrades  furnished 
an  example  of  personal  sacrifice  and  public  consecration 
rarely  known  in  the  annals  of  history.  [Applause.] 
But  it  is  just  like  the  American  soldier,  no  matter  where 
he  comes  from.  He  never  lays  down  his  arms  in  the 
presence  of  an  enemy  [great  applause],  and  never  falters, 
never  lowers  the  flag  of  his  country,  nor  leaves  the  field 
till  victory  comes  [continued  enthusiastic  applause]. 

I  am  glad  to  see  the  veterans  of  1861  welcome  the 
veterans  of  1898.  [Applause.]  It  is  the  same  kind  of 
patriotism.  You  got  it  from  your  fathers ;  and  it  is  a 
patriotism  that  never  deserts  and  never  encourages 
desertion.  [Applause.] 

But,  my  fellow-citizens  and  members  of  the  First 
South  Dakota,  you  have  just  got  home,  and  I  know  you 
want  to  join  those  you  love,  and  I  shall  not  detain  you 
a  moment  longer,  except  to  say  to  you  that  I  thank  you 
for  your  uncomplaining  services  to  our  beloved  country ; 
I  thank  you  for  standing  faithful  and  unfaltering  on 
the  battle-line  ;  I  thank  you  for  preserving  the  flag 
stainless;  I  thank  you  for  waiting  in  the  trenches 
until  the  relief  came  •  and  I  thank  you  for  having 
transferred  the  banner  of  freedom  to  those  who  succeed 
you.  spotless  and  with  honor.  [Great  applause.]  And 
where  that  flag  is,  it  stands  for  liberty,  humanity,  and 
civilization.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


286  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CLXVII. 

SPEECH  AT  REDFIELD,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

In  all  that  relates  to  the  government  of  the  United 
States  we  have  a  common  interest  and  a  common  pride. 
We  are  all  deeply  interested  in  the  administration  of 
the  government,  that  it  shall  be  honest  and  just  and 
equal.  We  are  interested  in  the  progress  and  prosperity 
of  the  country  and  the  well-being  and  advancement  of 
the  people.  We  have  been  greatly  blessed  as  a  govern 
ment  and  a  people.  We  are  rich  in  all  material  things. 
Your  own  State  is  blessed  with  soil  and  mines  of  rare 
value.  Your  population  is  increasing,  and  in  a  single 
year  you  sent  out  your  products  valued  at  nearly  one 
hundred  millions  of  dollars.  Your  population  is  about 
four  hundred  thousand.  You  raise  more  than  you  con 
sume.  You  send  your  surplus  products  from  the  field 
of  production  to  the  field  of  consumption,  and  there 
comes  flowing  back  to  you  in  return  money  for  your 
labor  and  your  investment. 

We  are  also  interested  in  our  public  schools,  in  our 
colleges,  and  in  our  universities.  This  pioneer  State 
has  a  great  many  colleges  and  universities.  You  have, 
I  am  told,  a  college  here.  The  school-house  goes  with 
the  pioneer.  The  family,  then  the  school-house;  and 
out  of  the  school-house  come  those  who  finally  become 
the  citizens  who  are  to  carry  forward  this  great  work 
of  government. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  287 

Then  we  are  interested  in  the  honor  of  the  country. 
The  American  name  up  to  this  hour  has  never  had  any 
taint  put  upon  it,  and  I  trust  and  believe  it  never  will 
have.  [Great  applause.]  We  have  never  lacked  soldiers 
to  defend  any  cause  in  which  the  country  has  been  en 
gaged,  from  the  days  of  1776  down  to  the  present  hour. 
[Great  applause.] 

We  have  been  adding  some  territory  to  the  United 
States.  The  little  folks  will  have  to  get  a  new  geog 
raphy.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  We  have  a  good 
deal  more  territory  in  the  United  States  than  when  we 
were  boys,  and  we  have  acquired  some  within  the  last 
eighteen  months.  [Great  applause.]  We  have  not  only 
been  adding  territory  to  the  United  States,  but  we  have 
been  adding  character  and  prestige  to  the  American 
name.  [Continued  applause.]  We  have  planted  our 
nag  in  Porto  Rico,  in  Hawaii,  and  in  the  Philippines. 
We  planted  it  there  because  we  had  a  right  to  do  so. 
[Applause.]  We  had  a  war  with  Spain.  Every  effort 
for  peace  was  used  before  war  was  finally  declared  by  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States,  but  when  war  was  de 
clared  there  was  but  one  thing  for  the  American  people 
to  do,  and  that  was  to  destroy  the  Spanish  sea-power 
wherever  we  could  find  it  [great  applause] ;  and  so 
Dewey  was  sent  to  Manila  [continued  applause],  and 
we  told  him  to  go  there,  commence  operations,  find  the 
Spanish  fleet,  and  capture  or  destroy  it.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  He  did  it !  [Applause.]  He  found  and  he 
destroyed  it,  and  when  he  had  done  that  we  had 
the  responsibility  of  the  Philippines,  which  we  could 
not  evade.  And  there  has  never  been  a  moment  of 
time,  my  countrymen,  when  we  could  have  left  Manila 
Bay  or  Manila  harbor  or  the  archipelago  of  the  Philip- 


288  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

pines  without  dishonor  to  our  name.  [Great  applause.] 
We  did  not  go  there  to  conquer  the  Philippines. 
We  went  there  to  destroy  the  Spanish  fleet,  that  we 
might  end  the  war;  but  in  the  providence  of  God, 
who  works  in  mysterious  ways,  this  great  archipelago 
was  put  into  our  lap,  and  the  American  people  never 
shirk  duty.  And  the  flag  now  there  is  not  the  flag  of 
tyranny— it  is  the  flag  of  liberty  [applause]  j  and  wher 
ever  the  flag  goes  there  go  character,  education,  American 
intelligence,  American  civilization,  and  American  liberty. 
[Great  applause.] 

CLXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  HURON,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

I  bring  my  heartfelt  salutation  to  this  one  of  the 
younger  sisters  of  our  Federal  Union.  I  may  be  par 
doned  if  I  express  more  than  a  common  interest  in  your 
welfare  and  advancement.  It  was  my  good  fortune  to 
be  a  member  of  the  national  House  of  Representatives 
during  all  the  years  you  were  struggling  for  admission 
as  a  State  ;  and  it  was  my  very  great  privilege  in  1889 
to  give  my  vote  to  help  make  you  one  of  the  stars  in 
our  national  constellation.  [Great  applause.]  I  can 
testify  to  the  perseverance  of  this  people  to  get  into  the 
Union.  I  not  only  bring  salutations,  but  congratulations. 

You  have  made  wonderful  progress.  You  have  been 
enjoying  in  the  last  twenty-four  months  an  unexampled 
prosperity.  Good  crops  and  fair  prices  have  lifted  the 
mortgage  and  lowered  the  interest ;  and  while  the  in- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  289 

terest  has  been  lowered  to  the  borrower,  the  standard  of 
the  money  loaned  has  not  been  lowered.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  You  not  only  have  rich  material  resources, 
but  you  have  what  every  American  pioneer  population 
has — school-houses  and  churches.  They  go  with  the 
pioneer  wherever  he  goes,  and  the  pioneer,  made  of  the 
very  best  possible  fiber,  always  takes  the  flag  with  him. 
[Great  applause.  A  voice,  "  Keep  the  old  flag  where  it 
is  !  »] 

My  fellow-citizens,  I  came  here  to  make  acknowledg 
ment  to  the  people  of  this  State  for  their  patriotism. 
When  you  were  a  Territory  you  furnished  battalions  of 
gallant  soldiers  to  fight  in  the  great  war  for  the  preser 
vation  of  the  Union  [applause],  and  my  comrades  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  are  all  about  me  here 
to-day.  [Shout  of  "  And  we  will  stand  by  you  !  "]  And 
when  the  Spanish  War  came,  the  sons  of  these  veterans 
and  the  sons  of  these  settlers  sprang  to  arms  at  once 
upon  the  call  of  country,  and  one  regiment  of  your 
troops  served  most  gallantly  and  uncomplainingly  in 
the  island  of  Luzon.  [Great  applause.]  I  had  the 
extreme  pleasure  of  joining  in  South  Dakota's  welcome 
to  these  brave  men  at  Aberdeen  this  morning,  and  I 
want  to  tell  you  that  they  look  like  athletes  [a  voice, 
"  We  sent  them  out  as  such !  "],  and  they  came  back  as 
such,  showing  the  generous  care  of  the  government  of 
the  United  States.  [Great  applause.]  It  is  given  to 
the  strong  to  bear  the  burdens  of  the  weak  5  and  our 
prayer  should  be,  not  that  the  burdens  should  be  rolled 
away,  but  that  God  should  give  us  strength  to  bear 
them.  [Applause.]  And  the  burdens  which  this  war 
placed  upon  the  American  people  unsought  and  unex 
pected—for  nobody  in  the  United  States  dreamed  eigh- 


290  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

teen  months  ago  that  the  Philippine  archipelago  would 
become  territory  of  the  United  States — came  not  to  us  of 
our  seeking,  but  as  one  of  the  inevitable  and  unescapable 
results  of  that  war.  When  Dewey  went  into  Manila 
Bay  under  orders  and  destroyed  the  Spanish  fleet,  from 
that  hour  we  were  responsible  for  the  peace  of  the  Phil 
ippine  Islands  [enthusiastic  and  long-continued  applause], 
and  from  that  hour  we  could  not  escape  with  honor  to  our 
selves,  nor  could  we  escape  from  our  obligations  to  the 
nations  of  the  world.  [Applause.]  And  your  boys  stayed 
[applause],  although  there  were  some  people  who  wanted 
them  to  come  home.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  I  am 
proud  of  them,  and  so  are  you.  [General  cry  of  "  We 
are !  "]  There  is  not  a  man,  woman,  or  child  in  this 
glorious  new  State,  there  is  not  a  family  in  your  com 
monwealth,  who  is  not  delighted  that  the  soldiers  of 
the  First  South  Dakota  refused  to  accept  the  advice  of 
the  unpatriotic  and  stayed  and  upheld  the  flag.  [Great 
applause.]  They  did  not  come  home  until  they  had 
placed  that  flag  stainless  and  spotless  in  the  hands  of 
the  new  army  we  sent;  and  we  will  send  enough  of 
them  to  carry  that  flag  to  ultimate  victory.  [Great  and 
long-continued  applause.] 


CLXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  LAKE  PRESTON,  SOUTH 
DAKOTA,  OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

Patriotism    is   an    all-conquering   sentiment   in   the 
American    heart.       It    triumphs    over    mere    politics, 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  291 

and  the  politics  which  has  no  patriotism  in  it  is 
always  defeated  before  the  tribunal  of  the  American 
people.  If  the  patriot,  for  any  good  reason,  does  not 
go  to  war  himself,  he  always  supports  the  soldier  who 
does,  and  shelters  and  cares  for  his  family  while  the 
head  of  it  is  at  the  front.  [Applause.]  If,  for  any 
reason,  a  good  citizen  gets  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy 
by  an  accident,  he  lives  only  to  regret  it,  and  his  chil 
dren  live  only  to  erase  the  blot  from  the  family  name. 
[Applause.] 

The  patriotic  people  of  this  country  are  awaiting  the 
return  of  Company  E  of  the  First  South  Dakota. 
[Great  applause.]  I  saw  the  glorious  boys  myself 
to-day.  [Continued  applause.]  I  was  proud  of  them, 
and  you  will  be  proud  of  them  when  they  come  to  you 
to-night.  [Great  applause.]  They  did  splendid  service 
for  their  country.  They  unfalteringly  sustained  the 
flag  and  refused  to  come  home  [great  applause]— re 
fused  to  lay  down  their  arms  until  the  government  they 
were  serving  could  supply  a  new  army  in  their  places 
to  lift  up  and  carry  forward  that  sacred  banner.  [En 
thusiastic  and  long-continued  applause.] 


CLXX. 

SPEECH  AT  MADISON,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  have  great  pleasure  in  meeting  the  citizens  of  south 
eastern  Dakota,  and  I  feel  constrained  to  congratulate 
you  upon  the  evidences  of  prosperity  which  I  have  wit- 


292  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

nessed  as  I  have  traveled  through  your  State.  I  feel, 
too,  like  congratulating  you  upon  the  general  prosper 
ous  condition  of  the  country.  Your  government  is 
doing  well.  There  are  no  deficits  in  the  Treasury. 
There  is  a  good  round  balance  of  more  than  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  millions  of  gold  in  the  Treasury  belong 
ing  to  the  government ;  and  we  are  collecting  one 
million  six  hundred  thousand  dollars  every  working- 
day  of  every  month.  Last  year,  when  Congress  voted 
that  we  should  go  to  war,  we  borrowed  two  hundred 
millions  of  dollars.  We  offered  the  bonds  to  the 
people,  and  there  were  fourteen  hundred  million  dollars 
subscribed  when  there  were  only  two  hundred  millions 
needed.  [Great  applause.]  Not  only,  my  fellow-citi 
zens,  is  the  business  of  the  government  prosperous,  but 
the  enterprises  of  the  people  are  also  prosperous.  Fear 
has  given  place  to  confidence.  Consternation  and 
despair  have  given  place  to  faith  and  courage,  the 
voice  of  calamity  is  no  longer  heard  in  the  land,  and 
the  orator  of  distress  and  discontent  is  out  of  a  job. 
[Great  applause.] 

The  people  are  employed  and  happy.  They  are  proud 
of  their  institutions  and  of  the  love  for  country  displayed 
in  the  last  eighteen  months.  When  the  call  for  two  hun 
dred  thousand  troops  was  issued,  more  than  a  million 
and  a  half  of  men  offered  themselves,  eager  and  ready 
to  go  to  fight  the  battle  for  humanity  and  maintain  the 
public  honor.  [Great  applause.]  And  some  of  your 
boys  are  coming  back  here  to-night.  [Enthusiastic 
applause.]  I  feel  like  apologizing  to  the  fathers  and 
mothers  for  the  privilege  which  I  enjoyed  of  seeing  them 
first.  The  proudest,  the  most  cherished,  the  most  glori 
ous  reflection  they  have  is  that  they  did  not  come 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  293 

home  until  their  places  had  been  supplied  with  new 
troops.     [Long-continued  applause.] 


CLXXI. 
SPEECH  AT  EGAN,  SOUTH  DAKOTA,  OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

We,  as  a  people,  never  go  to  war  because  we  love 
war.  Our  chief  glory  is  not  in  the  triumphs  of  arms, 
but  in  the  triumphs  of  peace.  We  love  peace ;  we 
abhor  war.  We  have  the  smallest  standing  army  of 
any  large  nation  in  the  world.  With  a  population  of 
more  than  seventy-five  millions,  the  regular  army  of  the 
United  States,  on  a  peace  footing,  consists  of  twenty- 
eight  thousand  troops.  On  the  national  shield,  which 
these  boys  and  girls  know  all  about,  are  to  be  found  the 
olive-branch  and  the  arrows,  indicating  our  power  in  war 
and  our  love  of  peace  ;  but  be  it  said,  to  the  glory  of  the 
American  nation,  that  we  never  have  drawn  the  arrows 
from  their  quiver  until  we  have  tendered  to  our  ad 
versary  the  olive-branch  of  peace.  [Great  applause.] 
And  we  are  at  peace  now  with  all  the  nations  of  the 
world.  We  have  an  insurrection  in  the  Philippines, 
which,  I  trust,  will  be  very  promptly  suppressed.  [Great 
applause.] 

Your  boys  have  done  their  duty  in  suppressing  it 
[great  applause],  and  I  know  you  are  impatient  to  bid 
them  welcome  to  their  families  and  their  homes.  [Long- 
continued  applause.] 


294  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CLXXIL 

SPEECH  AT  Sioux  FALLS,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow- Citizens  : 

We  very  deeply  regret  that  we  were  not  able  to  reach 
this  city  at  the  time  appointed.  The  reason  of  our  de 
tention  is  the  fact  that  the  First  South  Dakota  Vol 
unteers  came  in  late  at  Aberdeen.  It  is^the  only  time 
in  the  history  of  that  regiment  that  it  was  ever  late. 
[Great  applause.]  It  was  never  behind  time  in  any  of  the 
more  than  thirty  engagements  which  it  had  in  the  island 
of  Luzon. 

My  fellow-citizens,  when  war  is  inaugurated  it  usually 
has  a  fixed  and  definite  purpose.  You  can  have  a  pur 
pose  at  the  beginning,  but  nobody  can  tell  the  end  or 
scope.  "  Man  proposes,  but  God  disposes."  The  Civil 
War  was  waged  for  the  purpose  of  saving  the  Union. 
There  was  no  thought  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Lincoln  or 
his  Cabinet  or  of  Congress  what  would  be  accomplished 
in  its  final  result.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  in  the  habit  of 
saying  that  he  would  save  the  Union  with  slavery  or 
he  would  save  it  without  slavery,  he  would  save  it  half 
slave  and  half  free,  only  so  that  he  could  save  it,  for  he 
had  an  oath  registered  in  heaven  to  preserve  the  Union. 
[Great  applause.]  He  could  not  save  it  with  slavery, 
and  so  he  issued  his  immortal  proclamation  of  liberty. 
That  was  not  the  purpose  of  Congress,  for  the  Congress 
of  1861  had  voted  by  an  almost  unanimous  vote  that  the 
war  should  cease  when  the  Union  was  restored,  with  all 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  295 

the  rights,  dignities,  and  privileges  of  the  old  States 
undisturbed. 

So,  my  fellow-citizens,  when  the  war  with  Spain  com 
menced, — commenced  in  the  interest  of  humanity,  com 
menced  to  relieve  the  Cuban  people  of  that  oppression 
under  which  they  had  suffered  for  long  years,— nobody 
at  that  moment  had  any  thought  either  of  Porto  Rico  or 
the  Philippines.  We  went  to  war  with  Spain  in  the 
interest  of  humanity  and  civilization,  and  to  give  justice 
to  the  oppressed  people  of  Cuba.  When  war  was  de 
clared  we  put  our  ships  in  front  of  the  harbors  of  Ha 
vana  and  Santiago.  We  sent  Dewey's  ships  from  Hong 
kong  to  Manila,  directing  him  to  destroy  or  capture  the 
Spanish  fleet  in  those  waters,  and  he  did  it.  [Enthusi 
astic  applause.]  And  our  fleet  in  front  of  Santiago  sunk 
the  Spanish  ships  in  that  water,  ^.nd  when  Dewey  de 
stroyed  the  Spanish  fleet  in  Manila  Bay  he  was  master 
of  the  situation ;  but  he  could  not  come  away  without 
dishonor,  if  he  had  been  disposed  to  do  so,  which  he 
was  not.  [Great  applause.]  The  responsibility  for 
peace  and  good  order  and  the  protection  of  life  and 
property  came  to  the  American  people  from  that 
hour.NWhen  the  treaty  of  peace,  by  which  Spain  ceded 
to  usahe  entire  archipelago  was  ratified  by  more  than 
two  thirds  of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  from  that 
hour  it  became  the  territory  of  the  United  States.  [Great 
applause.]  And  when  it  became  our  territory  there  was 
but  one  authority  and  but  one  sovereignty  that  could  be 
recognized,  and  that  was  the  United  States.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  It  became  our  duty  to  establish  our  authority. 
A  portion  of  one  tribe,  representing  the  smallest  frac 
tion  of  the  entire  population  of  the  islands,  resisted 
American  authority.  The  very  men  we  had  emiuici- 


296  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

pated  from  slavery  and  oppression  were  the  first  to 
make  an  attack  upon  the  army  of  the  United  States ; 
and  when  they  assaulted  our  flag  in  the  hands  of  the 
soldiers  of  the  United  States,  they  assaulted  the  sover 
eignty  and  the  power  of  the  government.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  And  when  that  is  assailed  there  is  never  any 
division  among  the  American  people.  [Enthusiastic 
applause.]  They  are  for  the  flag  wherever  it  floats, 
and  they  stand  behind  the  men  who  carry  it  on  land  or 
on  sea.  [Continued  applause.] 

I  received  the  other  day  a  letter  from  a  most  distin 
guished  officer  now  engaged  in  active  duty  in  the  Philip 
pines.  It  is  dated  Manila,  August  29, 1899,  and  I  want 
to  read  one  or  two  extracts  from  it : 

,  I  am  confident  that,  if  ,we  should  withdraw  our  army  now, 
Aguinaldo  could  not  hold  nimself  in  power  without  carrying  on 
warfare  against  other  tribes,  and  this  would  cause  a  constant  war 
fare  and  turmoil  for  years.  Of  course  there  would  be  looting  of 
•cities  and  seizing  and  destruction  of  property,  and  the  business 
people  and  property-holders  would  apply  to  some  strong  govern 
ment  to  restore  order.  For  us  to  withdraw  our  army  now  would 
ibe  criminal,  and  for  such  an  action  we  would  be  arraigned  and  de- 
|nounced  by  the  civilized  nations  of  the  earth. 

I  believe  that  when  it  is  fully  understood  that  our  supremacy  is 
to  be  maintained  in  these  islands,  there  will  be  an  influx  of  popula 
tion  from  the  United  States  and  other  countries.  There  is  no 
question  as  to  the  richness  of  the  soil  and  the  abundance  and 
richness  of  gold-,  copper-,  and  coal-mines. 

It  is  true  that  heretofore  they  have  not  paid,  but  it  is  because 
they  have  not  been  properly  managed. 

The  receipts  of  this  port  from  customs  [it  is  the  port  of  Manila] 
are  averaging  $600,000  per  month.  This,  with  the  internal  rev 
enue,  I  believe,  would  in  ordinary  times  pay  the  entire  expenses 
of  the  government. 

An  idea  seems  to  be  prevalent  in  the  United  States  that  this  is 
an  unhealthy  country,  and  that  white  men  cannot  live  here.  This 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  297 

is  a  great  mistake.  There  is  also  an  impression  that  to  retain  these 
islands  would  "be  a  burden  to  our  country.  That  these  views  are 
errors  should  be  impressed  upon  the  American  people. 

You  may  ask,  my  fellow-citizens,  who  is  the  author  of 
this  letter.  I  answer  you  that  it  is  from  a  gallant  sol 
dier,  a  great  cavalry  leader  of  the  Confederate  army,  one 
of  the  heroes  of  Santiago  in  our  recent  war,  and  for 
eighteen  years  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  State  of 
Alabama— the  gallant  and  intrepid  Joe  Wheeler.  [En 
thusiastic  applause.] 

We  intend  to  put  down  that  rebellion  [great  ap 
plause],  just  as  we  would  put  down  any  rebellion 
anywhere  against  the  sovereignty  of  the  United  States 
[continued  applause].  Our  flag  is  there.  Your  boys 
bore  it,  bore  it  heroically,  bore  it  nobly,  and  stayed  with 
it  when  they  could  have  been  mustered  out ;  but  they 
said,  "  We  will  stay  until  our  places  can  be  filled  with 
new  soldiers,  and  will  never  desert  our  colors.7'  [Great 
applause.] 

I  make  public  acknowledgment  everywhere  for  this 
personal  sacrifice  and  heroic  action.  That  flag  is  there, 
not  as  the  symbol  of  oppression,  not  as  the  flag  of 
tyranny ;  but  it  is  there,  as  it  is  everywhere,  the  symbol 
of  liberty,  civilization,  hope,  and  humanity.  [Tremen 
dous  and  long-continued  applause.] 


298  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CLXXIII. 

SPEECH  AT  YANKTON,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Felloiv-Citizens  : 

I  have  very  great  pleasure  in  meeting  my  countrymen 
of  South  Dakota  here  at  the  old  capital  of  the  Territory 
of  Dakota.  A  wave  of  patriotism  has  been  moving 
throughout  the  country  for  the  past  two  years,  and  the 
swell  has  struck  South  Dakota  to-day.  [Applause.] 
The  soldiers  from  Manila  are  coming  home.  They  are 
in  your  beloved  State  to-night.  I  met  them  this  morn 
ing  at  Aberdeen.  They  are  coming  back  in  health,  as 
sturdy  and  splendid  a  body  of  young  men  as  I  ever 
looked  upon.  They  are  coming  back  not  only  with 
health,  but  with  honor.  They  stood  by  the  country  we 
all  love  so  much,  and  have  earned  the  gratitude  of  the 
government  they  have  served  so  well.  [Great  applause.] 
We  cannot  have  too  much  patriotism  in  a  country  like 
ours,  that  rests  upon  the  people  and  all  the  people  alike  ; 
and  so  long  as  we  have  with  patriotism  the  virtue  and 
vigilance  of  the  citizen,  so  long  will  our  free  institutions 
be  safe  and  secure.  The  American  people  can  always 
be  trusted.  If  in  the  passion  of  the  hour  they  commit 
a  mistake,  they  are  prompt  to  correct  it.  The  people 
choose  the  rulers — their  legislatures  of  States  and  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  and  the  Chief  Executive 
of  the  United  States;  and  if,  in  an  hour  of  unrest  or 
discontent  or  dissatisfaction,  they  elect  rulers  or  legis 
lators  or  congressmen  who  do  not  serve  the  best  pur- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  299 

pose  of  government,  they  are  prompt  to  supersede  them 
with  agents  who  do.  [Great  applause.] 

The  people,  my  fellow-citizens,  always  reserve  to  them 
selves  the  right  of  appeal  from  themselves  after  more 
deliberate  judgment,  after  more  conscientious  investi 
gation  ;  they  appeal  from  themselves  to  themselves,  and 
not  infrequently  reverse  former  decisions. 

I  am  glad  to  meet  the  people  of  this  new  and  prom 
ising  State.  Every  step  of  our  journey,  as  we  have 
passed  through  this  commonwealth,  has  been  one  of 
warm  and  hearty  and  generous  greeting  from  all  the 
people  [great  applause] ;  not  from  party,  not  from 
members  of  one  creed  or  another,  not  from  the  native- 
born  or  the  naturalized,  but  from  all  I  have  felt  the 
touch  of  warm  hearts  and  the  glow  of  gracious  greet 
ings  ;  and  I  stop  only  long  enough  to  say  how  pro 
foundly  impressed  I  have  been  with  your  State— not 
with  its  material  interests  alone,  not  with  its  lands  or 
its  mines,  but  with  the  men  and  the  women.  I  have 
looked  into  their  faces,  and  have  felt  that  there  was  a 
great  future  for  this  commonwealth  in  such  hands,  and 
for  the  whole  nation.  You  are  just  like  the  other 
members  of  our  great  family,  for  you  have  come  from 
all  the  States ;  and  those  who  have  come  from  outside 
have  brought  their  best  conscience  and  best  judgment 
to  help  us  build  up  this  country. 

One  thing  more,  my  countrymen.  Whatever  else 
this  war  has  done,  there  is  a  result  for  which  we  should 
all  offer  thanksgiving  and  praise— it  has  unified  every 
section.  [Great  applause.]  We  now,  almost  for  the 
first  time  in  our  history,  know  no  North,  no  South,  no 
East,  no  West,  but  are  all  for  a  common  country. 
[Long-continued  applause.] 


300  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CLXXIV. 

REMARKS  AT  VERMILION,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow-  Citizens : 

This  is  a  very  loyal  and  devoted  people,  that  would 
remain  up  until  this  late  hour  of  the  night  to  give  greet 
ing  to  the  Chief  Executive  of  the  nation.  I  do  not 
misinterpret  this  welcome.  I  am  sure  it  is  not  meant 
for  me  as  an  individual,  but  meant  as  your  expression 
of  devotion  and  affection  for  the  government  of  the 
United  States.  I  can  only,  in  the  moment,  detain  you 
long  enough  to  say  that  we  have  a  government  that  is 
worthy  of  our  best  love  and  affection,  and  if  it  does  not 
continue  to  serve  us  and  our  highest  and  best  interests, 
it  will  be  our  own  fault,  for  our  government  is  just 
what  we  make  it.  And  I  pray  that  the  virtue  of  the 
citizen  will  be  so  high  and  his  aims  so  noble  that  nothing 
ill  can  ever  befall  this  republic,  and  nothing  ever  impair 
its  usefulness  and  glory.  [Great  applause.] 


CLXXV. 

REMARKS  AT  ELK  POINT,  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
OCTOBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

Only  a  warm-hearted  people,  deeply  interested  in 
their  government  and  attached  to  it,  would  have  re 
mained  standing  until  midnight  to  give  welcome  to 


OF  WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  301 

the  President  of  the  United  States.  I  leave  the  State 
of  South  Dakota  regretfully,  for  during  all  the  day  of 
my  journey  I  have  been  met  at  every  point  with  the 
same  warm  greeting  which  you  have  given  me  here 
to-night.  I  leave  behind  me  only  thanks  and  gratitude 
to  all  the  people,  and  my  best  wishes  for  their  prosper 
ity  in  their  vocations  and  for  contentment  and  joy  in 
all  their  homes.  [Great  applause.] 


CLXXVI. 

REMARKS  AT  THE   WHITFIELD    METHODIST   EPISCOPAL 
SUNDAY-SCHOOL,  Sioux  CITY,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  15, 1899. 

My  Friends  : 

I  have  only,  in  the  moment  I  shall  tarry,  to  say  to 
this  group  of  young  people  and  older  people,  hail  and 
farewell.  I  wish  for  all  of  them  the  realization  of  all 
that  is  noble  in  life  and  character  under  a  government 
of  high  privilege  and  great  opportunity. 


CLXXVIL 

SPEECH  AT  IOWA  FALLS,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Felloiv-Citizens : 

It  is  a  great  advantage  to  meet  the  people  early  in 
the  morning.  [Laughter.]  It  gives  me  genuine  pleasure 
to  meet  and  greet  my  fellow-citizens  of  Iowa,  to  look  into 
their  faces,  and  to  feel  the  stimulus  of  their  presence, 
and  the  encouragement  which  I  always  receive  as  I 
mingle  with  them. 


302  SPEECHES  AND   ADDRESSES 

Since  I  was  last  in  the  State  we  have  added  some  new 
territory.  It  is  no  longer  a  question  of  expansion  with  us ; 
we  have  expanded.  [Laughter  and  great  applause.]  If 
there  is  any  question  at  all  it  is  a  question  of  contrac 
tion;  and  who  is  going  to  contract?  [Applause.]  I 
believe,  my  fellow-citizens,  that  this  territory  came  to 
us  in  the  providence  of  God.  We  did  not  seek  it. 
[Applause.]  It  is  ours,  with  all  the  responsibilities 
that  belong  to  it ;  and  as  a  great,  strong,  brave  nation 
we  mean  to  meet  these  responsibilities  [applause],  and  we 
mean  to  carry  our  education  and  our  civilization  there. 
I  am  not  one  of  those  who  would  take  a  laurel  from  the 
brow  of  the  American  soldier  or  a  jewel  from  the  crown 
of  American  achievement.  [Great  applause.] 

CLXXVIIL 

SPEECH  AT  ACKLEY,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  recall  my  former  visit  to  this  people,  I  believe,  five 
years  ago.  I  congratulate  you  all  upon  the  improved 
condition  of  the  country.  When  I  was  here  last,  we 
were  in  a  condition  of  business  depression.  Times  were 
hard.  Fear  had  overcome  courage.  Now  all  is  changed. 
We  have  general  prosperity — good  crops  and  fair  prices, 
steady  employment  and  good  wages,  and  we  have  a 
happy  and  contented  people. 

Not  only  are  the  people  prosperous,  but  the  nation 
itself  is  doing  well.  Our  revenues  are  abundant.  All 
over  the  country  interest  has  fallen,  mortgages  have 
been  lifted,  and  markets  have  been  extended.  We  are 
using  more  of  our  own  products  than  we  ever  did  before. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  303 

We  are  importing  fewer  products  than  we  have  done  in 
many  years,  and  we  are  sending  more  of  American 
products  abroad  than  we  ever  sent  before.  We  are  on 
a  gold  basis,  and  we  mean  to  stay  there.  [General  cry 
of  "  Good  !  »] 

I  like  the  sentiment  that  spans  your  platform  here : 
"  Sustain  the  nation's  flag."  [Applause.]  That  is  what 
we  are  doing  in  the  Philippines  to-day,  and  that  is  what 
we  will  continue  to  do  until  we  conquer  the  rebellion 
against  the  sovereignty  and  authority  of  the  United 
States.  [Great  applause.]  We  mean  to  sustain  the 
boys  in  blue  who  are  carrying  that  flag ;  and  whether  in 
the  Philippines  or  here  in  Iowa,  it  represents,  not 
tyranny,  but  liberty  and  civilization,  and  stands  for 
hope  to  mankind.  [Cheers.] 


CLXXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  PARKERSBURG,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

It  is  a  peculiar  pleasure  to  me  to  pass  through  the 
district  of  my  old  friend  Colonel  Henderson,  and  it  is 
a  great  honor  that  comes  to  this  district  that  your  rep 
resentative  is  to  be  the  Speaker  of  the  national  House 
of  Representatives. 

The  patriotism  of  the  people  for  the  last  eighteen 
months  has  been  sublime.  When  the  call  for  troops 
was  made,  Iowa,  like  all  the  other  States  of  the  Union, 
responded  promptly.  More  than  a  million  soldiers 
were  ready  to  do  battle  for  the  country  under  its  call 
for  only  two  hundred  thousand  troops.  Iowa  furnished 


304  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

her  full  share,  arid  one  of  her  regiments  did  gallant 
service  in  the  distant  islands  of  the  Pacific.  It  did  not 
ask  to  come  home,  although  it  had  the  privilege  of 
muster  out  after  the  ratifications  of  the  treaty  of  peace 
had  been  exchanged.  That  regiment  remained  there, 
to  uphold  the  flag  and  sustain  the  authority  of  the 
government,  until  a  new  army  could  be  created  to  go 
and  take  its  place;  and  I  desire  to  make  public  ac 
knowledgment  here  in  this  presence  and  in  this  State 
for  its  exhibition  of  devotion  to  the  flag  and  loyalty 
to  the  country.  [Great  applause.]  We  all  love  that  flag. 
It  gladdens  the  hearts  of  the  old  and  the  young,  and 
it  shelters  us  all.  Wherever  it  is  raised  on  land  or  on 
sea,  at  home  or  in  our  distant  possessions,  it  always 
stands  for  liberty,  for  civilization,  for  humanity  j  and 
wherever  it  is  assaulted,  the  whole  nation  rises  up  to 
defend  it.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


CLXXX. 

SPEECH  AT  CEDAR  FALLS,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow- Citizens : 

This  is  a  very  great  pleasure,  to  meet  the  people  of 
Cedar  Falls  and  the  professors  and  students  of  your 
great  institution  of  learning. 

We  are  a  united  people— united  in  interest,  sentiment, 
purpose,  and  love  of  country  as  we  have  never  been  be 
fore.  Sectionalism  has  disappeared.  Old  prejudices 
are  but  a  faded  memory.  The  orator  of  hate,  like  the 
orator  of  despair,  has  no  hearing  in  any  section  of  our 
country.  On  ship  and  on  shore  the  men  of  the  South 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  305 

and  the  men  of  the  North  have  been  fighting  for  the 
same  flag  and  shedding  their  blood  together  for  the 
honor  of  the  country  and  the  integrity  of  its  institu 
tions.  Lawton  and  Wheeler  in  the  Philippines  are 
fighting  side  by  side  to-day.  [Applause.]  This  is  the 
Union  we  have  now,  and  the  North  and  the  South  are 
vying  with  each  other  in  loyalty,  and  are  inarching  side 
by  side  in  the  pathway  of  our  destiny  and  the  mission 
of  liberty  and  humanity. 

The  cause  of  humanity  has  been  triumphant,  and  that 
cause  committed  to  our  hands  will  not  suffer.  Wher 
ever  we  have  raised  our  flag,  we  have  raised  it,  not  for 
conquest,  not  for  territorial  aggrandizement,  not  for 
national  gain,  but  for  civilization  and  humanity.  [Great 
applause.]  And  let  those  lower  it  who  will !  [Enthusi 
astic  and  long-continued  applause.] 


CLXXXI. 

SPEECH  AT  WATERLOO,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

j\[y  Fellow-Citizens  : 

We  have  before  us  a  great  national  problem.  We 
have  resting  upon  us  a  great  national  duty,  growing 
out  of  our  war  with  Spain.  When  that  war  com 
menced  there  was  little  or  no  division  of  sentiment 
among  the  people.  Before  the  declaration  of  war 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  under  the  leader 
ship  of  your  distinguished  Senator  Allison,  voted  a  na 
tional  defense  fund  of  fifty  millions  of  dollars  for  the 
use  of  the  government  at  its  discretion.  It  was  voted 
practically  without  division  in  either  house  of  Congress. 


306  SPEECHES  AND   ADDRESSES 

The  senator  assures  me  that  it  was  done  with  absolute 
unanimity.  When  the  war  was  declared  the  resolution 
was  voted  for  by  all  parties  from  all  sections.  The 
revenue  bill  was  passed  with  provisions  for  money  to 
carry  on  the  war  •  so  that  we  started  with  all  the  peo 
ple  and  all  the  representatives  of  the  people  standing 
together. 

The  war  came,  and  was  ended  sooner  than  any 
similar  war  in  all  history  j  ended  with  the  triumph  of 
American  arms;  ended  in  a  triumph  for  the  cause  of 
humanity.  [Applause.]  Having  been  united  in  bringing 
on  the  war,  having  been  united  in  its  conduct,  having 
been  practically  united  in  the  conclusions  of  peace,  the 
question  is,  Shall  we  stand  together  until  the  work  is 
finished  ?  [General  cry  of  "  Yes  !  "  Great  applause.] 

We  have  resting  upon  us  the  great  responsibilities  of 
government  in  Porto  Rico  and  in  the  Philippines.  Our 
flag  has  been  assailed  in  those  distant  islands  in  the  Pa 
cific,  and  I  ask  the  people  of  Iowa  whether  we  shall  not 
stand  firmly  and  unitedly  until  American  sovereignty 
shall  be  established  in  every  island  of  the  archipelago. 
[General  cry  of  "  Yes !  "  Applause.]  We  will  not  take 
down  that  flag,  representing  liberty  to  the  people,  repre 
senting  civilization  to  those  islands ;  we  will  not  with 
draw  it,  because  the  territory  over  which  it  floats  is  ours 
by  every  tenet  of  international  law  and  by  the  sacred 
sanction  of  a  treaty  made  in  accordance  with  the  Con 
stitution  of  the  United  States.  [Applause.]  We  are  not 
there  to  oppress.  We  are  there  to  liberate.  We  are  not 
there  to  establish  an  imperial  government ;  but  we  are 
there  to  establish  a  government  of  liberty  under  law, 
protection  to  life  and  property,  and  opportunity  to  all 
who  dwell  there.  [Applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   MoKlNLEY.  307 

CLXXXII. 

SPEECH  AT  INDEPENDENCE,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  thank  your  spokesman  for  his  greeting  in  your 
behalf.  Nothing  but  a  deep  interest  in  the  country 
upon  the  part  of  the  people  would  have  assembled  so 
many  of  you,  on  this  inclement  morning,  to  give  welcome 
to  the  President  of  the  country.  And  I  do  not  mistake 
its  meaning.  It  is  not  meant  in  compliment  to  me.  It 
is  in  no  sense  personal,  but  it  is  expressive  of  your 
devotion  to  the  country,  your  interest  in  its  welfare, 
your  anxiety  that  its  honor  shall  be  preserved  every 
where  upon  land  and  sea.  The  people  are  thinking 
about  just  one  thing  now  in  this  country.  The  thoughts 
of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  have  not  for  a  third 
of  a  century  been  so  centered  upon  the  government  and 
its  future — their  government — as  at  this  very  hour.  They 
rallied  to  its  support  when  it  went  to  war.  They  stood 
by  the  government  until  the  treaty  of  peace  was  made. 
That  treaty  of  peace,  ratified  by  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  approved  of  by  a  vote  of  Congress,  gave  to  the 
United  States  the  sovereignty  and  territory  of  the  Philip 
pine  Islands.  [Great  applause.]  That  territory,  my  fellow- 
citizens,  the  President  has  no  power  to  alienate  if  he 
was  disposed  to  do  so,  which  he  is  not.  [Great  applause.] 
The  sovereignty  of  the  United  States  in  the  Philippines 
cannot  be  given  away  by  a  President.  That  sovereignty 
belongs  to  the  people ;  and  so  long  as  that  territory  is  ours, 
and  so  long  as  our  sovereignty  is  there  by  right, — not 


308  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

by  right  of  conquest  only,  but  by  right  of  solemn  treaty, 
—the  President  of  the  United  States  has  but  one  duty 
to  perform,  and  that  is  to  maintain  and  establish  the 
authority  of  the  United  States  in  those  islands.  [Great 
applause.  Cries  of  "  Good ! "]  He  could  not  do  less 
and  perform  his  duty.  And  our  prayers  are  not  only 
going  out  to  the  boys  in  the  trenches,  but  more  men  and 
more  means  and  more  sinews  of  war  will  follow  the  boys 
at  the  front.  [Great  applause.] 

And  now,  my  fellow-citizens,  having  said  this  much, 
and  only  stopping  long  enough  to  thank  the  boys  and 
the  girls  of  the  schools  for  the  welcome  which  they  have 
given  me,  carrying  that  glorious  banner  in  their  hands, 
which  indicates  that  they  have  real  affection  for  the  flag 
in  their  hearts,  I  bid  you  all  good  morning.  [Long- 
continued  applause.] 


CLXXXIII. 

SPEECH  AT  MANCHESTER,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

We  have  had  more  than  a  hundred  years  of  national 
existence.  Those  years  have  been  blessed  ones  for 
liberty  and  civilization.  No  other  peoples  anywhere  on 
the  globe  have  enjoyed  such  marvelous  prosperity  and 
have  made  such  gigantic  progress  as  the  people  of  the 
United  States.  When  the  fathers  established  this  gov 
ernment  the  population  was  only  a  little  more  than  a 
million  in  excess  of  the  population  of  lo  wa  to-day.  They 
started  with  three  million  nine  hundred  thousand,  and 
you  have  two  million  and  a  half  of  people  in  your  State. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  309 

Our  lines  have  indeed  fallen  in  pleasant  places.  The 
ship  of  state  has  sailed  uninterruptedly  on  its  mission  of 
liberty ;  and  one  thing  that  can  be  said  of  this  nation, 
for  which  we  should  all  give  thanksgiving  and  praise,  is 
that  it  never  raised  its  arm  against  humanity,  never 
struck  a  blow  against  liberty,  never  struck  a  blow  except 
for  civilization  and  mankind.  [Applause.]  And  now  that 
we  are  sevent}r-nve  millions  of  people  I  do  not  think  we 
have  lost  our  vigor,  our  virtue,  our  courage,  our  high 
purpose,  or  our  patriotism.  [Great  applause.]  We  are 
just  as  strong  for  country  as  we  ever  were,  and  we  are 
just  as  sensitive  of  national  honor  as  our  fathers  were, 
and  we  are  just  as  determined  to  keep  unsullied  the 
American  name  as  those  who  created  us  a  nation. 
[Great  applause.] 

This,  my  countrymen,  is  not  a  partizan  government. 
While  parties  control  administrations,  in  the  presence  of 
a  great  national  peril  or  great  national  duty  the  people 
are  united  as  one  man  for  country ;  and  the  people's 
hearts  to-day  go  out  to  the  soldiers  of  the  United  States, 
who  are  doing  battle  for  the  country  in  the  Philippines. 
[Applause.]  Your  hearts,  your  hopes,  your  prayers  are 
with  them ;  and  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  the  American 
people  do  not  propose,  whatever  may  be  the  cost,  to  see 
our  flag  dishonored  anywhere.  [Enthusiastic  applause.] 


310  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

CLXXXIV. 

SPEECH  AT  DUBUQUE,  IOWA,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

The  welcome  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  this  the 
second  city  of  the  State  is  cordially  appreciated  and  will 
be  long  remembered  and  cherished.  This  is  a  year  of 
sublime  patriotism.  From  one  end  of  your  State  to  the 
other,  in  all  the  sections  of  the  West  through  which  we 
have  traveled,  we  have  heard  but  one  music,  that  the 
music  of  the  Union ;  but  one  song,  that  the  hymn  of 
the  republic.  [Great  applause.]  And  we  have  seen  but 
one  flag,  the  flag  of  our  fathers  and  ours  [applause] ; 
the  flag  of  a  happy,  reunited,  and  never-to-be-severed 
nation  [enthusiastic  applause]— a  flag  that  expresses  our 
hopes,  our  purposes,  and  our  faith  •  a  flag  that  expresses 
the  sacrifices  which  we  are  willing  to  make  for  it  and 
what  it  represents  anywhere  and  everywhere  when  as 
sailed.  [Great  applause.] 

I  have  come  to-day,  my  fellow-citizens,  not  only  to 
greet  you  all,  but  to  make  public  acknowledgment  in 
this  great  city  of  the  patriotism  of  the  people  of  Iowa. 
[Applause.]  You  not  only  served  and  sacrificed  for  the 
Union  in  the  great  Civil  War,  giving  up  many  of  the 
best  young  men  of  the  State  on  the  altar  of  country 
that  the  Union  might  be  preserved,  but  in  the  war  with 
Spain  this  State,  almost  the  first  of  the  Federal 
Union,  answered  to  the  call  of  the  government.  [Ap 
plause.]  There  was  no  halting  and  no  hesitation; 
your  full  quota  was  filled  immediately,  and  others  were 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  311 

eager  and  anxious  to  enlist.  All  of  your  soldiers  did 
not  have  service  on  the  firing-line,  but  they  did  their 
whole  duty.  That  they  were  not  called  to  the  field  of 
active  operations  was  because  the  war  was  too  quickly 
closed.  [Enthusiastic  applause.]  They  were  ready  and 
anxious  to  go,  and  disappointed  that  they  were  not  per 
mitted  to  go.  To  them  I  want  to  say  that,  like  the  sol 
diers  at  the  front,  they  have  won  the  gratitude  of  the 
republic ;  for  they  did  their  whole  duty,  and  that  is  all 
any  soldier  can  do.  [Great  applause.] 

You  were  fortunate,  my  fellow-citizens,  inasmuch  as 
we  had  to  have  trouble  in  the  Philippines,  that  you 
could  send  one  regiment  to  that  distant  island.  And  I 
want  to  say  of  them  that  they  did  even  more  than  their 
duty.  Possibly  I  ought  not  to  say  that ;  but  they  did 
even  more  than  was  required  by  their  terms  of  enlist 
ment.  They  had  the  privilege  of  muster  out  when  the 
ratifications  of  the  treaty  of  peace  were  exchanged. 
That  was  the  end  of  their  term,  if  they  had  sought  to 
claim  the  privilege,  but  when  offered  to  them  they  re 
fused  to  accept  it.  [Great  applause.]  They  said  :  "We 
will  stay  with  the  government.  We  will  stay  with  the 
flag  until  you  can  make  a  new  army  to  take  our  places." 
And  they  did  it.  [Enthusiastic  applause.]  All  honor 
to  the  Iowa  regiment  in  the  Philippines,  now  with  their 
faces  turned  homeward  !  [Applause.]  God  grant  them 
a  safe  arrival  in  their  old  State,  among  their  own  friends 
and  families,  at  their  own  homes  !  [Applause.] 

I  never  travel  through  this  mighty  West,  a  part  of  the 
Louisiana  Purchase,  —  Iowa,  part  of  Minnesota,  and  the 
Dakotas,— that  I  do  not  feel  like  offering  my  gratitude 
to  Thomas  Jefferson  for  his  wisdom  and  foresight  in 
acquiring  this  vast  territory,  to  be  peopled  by  men  and 


312  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

women  such  as  I  have  seen  here  and  elsewhere  in  these 
four  States.  [Great  applause.]  You  have  carried  civili 
zation  and  education ;  you  have  built  churches ;  you  have 
made  this  the  garden  spot  of  the  country  •  and  you  have 
added  new  strength  and  honor  to  the  nation. 

And  now,  my  fellow-citizens,  having  said  this  much, 
and  with  only  a  moment  to  tarry,  I  want  simply  to  say 
one  other  thing,  and  that  is  that  our  flag  in  the  Philip 
pines  still  waves  there  [enthusiastic  applause],  and  it 
waves  not  as  the  banner  of  imperialism,  it  waves  not  as 
the  symbol  of  oppression,  but  it  waves  as  it  waves  here 
and  everywhere,  the  flag  of  freedom,  of  hope,  of  home 
of  civilization.  [Loud  and  prolonged  applause.] 

CLXXXV. 

SPEECH  AT  GALENA,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  recall  with  pleasure  my  former  visit  to  this  city, 
when  some  years  ago  I  came  to  speak  at  the  dedication 
of  the  monument  to  that  great  soldier  and  lover  of 
peace,  General  Ulysses  S.  Grant.  He  has  set  us  an  ex 
ample  both  in  war  and  in  peace.  In  war  unconditional 
surrender  was  his  requirement;  and  after  the  war  his 
constant  and  most  fervent  prayer  was  for  the  unifica 
tion  of  the  States  and  the  peace  of  his  country. 

We  are  having  some  trouble  over  in  the  Philippines, 
and,  remembering  Grant's  requirement  of  unconditional 
surrender,  hostilities  will  cease  when  those  who  com 
menced  the  war  upon  our  flag  shall  cease  to  fire  at  our 
troops  and  acknowledge  American  authority.  [En 
thusiastic  applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  313 

On  his  second  proposition  there  has  been  complete 
and  perfect  reconciliation  between  the  sections.  There 
is  no  North  and  no  South,  except  as  mere  geographic 
divisions.  They  no  longer  suggest  the  long  bloody  war 
through  which  the  country  passed.  All  sections  are 
united,  and  passion,  hate,  and  prejudice  have  totally 
disappeared;  and  we  thank  God  for  it.  [Applause.] 
We  are  now  a  united  country,  and  we  are  united  for  the 
right ;  we  are  united  for  liberty ;  we  are  united  for  civili 
zation  ;  we  are  united  for  humanity.  And  being  thus 
united,  we  are  invincible.  [Great  applause.] 


CLXXXYI. 

SPEECH  AT  IPSWICH,  WISCONSIN,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

M y  Fe  11  o tc-  Ci tizens  : 

It  is  a  very  great  pleasure  to  meet  you  and  to  be 
presented  by  your  distinguished  representative  in  Con 
gress  [Representative  Cooper]. 

Our  nation  is  one  of  great  benevolence  and  of  great 
blessings.  We  not  only  care  for  the  great  interests  of 
the  government  in  our  foreign  relations,  but  we  spend 
millions  upon  public  education  ;  millions  more  are  spent 
by  the  people  for  churches ;  still  more  millions  are  spent 
by  the  States  for  the  care  of  the  unfortunate  of  our  popu 
lation.  The  orphans'  homes,  the  industrial  homes,  the 
homes  for  the  aged,  the  homes  for  disabled  veterans  who 
have  served  their  country,  all  attest  the  benevolence  of 
the  American  nation  and  the  American  people.  Not 
only  are  we  a  nation  of  benevolence,  but  we  are  a  nation 
that  is  helpful  to  our  people— helpful  to  all  the  people. 


314  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Every  boy  and  girl  can  have  a  good  education — one 
that  will  equip  them  for  every  duty  and  occupation  of 
life.  Not  only  are  they  thus  educated  by  the  State  and 
the  nation,  but  when  once  educated  they  have  open  to 
them,  and  to  every  one  of  them,  the  highest  opportuni 
ties  for  advancement.  They  are  not  prevented  because 
they  are  poor  from  aspiring  to  the  highest  places  in  the 
gift  of  the  government.  We  have  no  classes.  No 
matter  what  their  creed,  their  party,  no  matter  what  may 
be  their  condition,  no  matter  about  their  race  or  their 
nationality,  they  all  have  an  equal  opportunity  to  secure 
private  and  public  positions  of  honor  and  profit. 

My  fellow-citizens,  a  government  like  ours  is  worth 
preserving  in  all  its  vigor  and  its  integrity.  And  as  I 
look  into  your  faces,  and  as  I  think  of  our  American 
homes  and  American  schools,  I  feel  that  our  sacred  in 
stitutions  are  safe  in  their  keeping.  r  Great  applause.] 


CLXXXVII. 

SPEECH  AT  DODGEVILLE,  WISCONSIN, 
OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  'Fellow-Citizens  : 

We  have  everything  to  be  thankful  for.  Our  credit 
as  a  nation  never  was  better,  while  the  credit  of  the 
individual  citizen  has  improved.  Our  money  never  was 
more  abundant ;  every  dollar  of  it  is  as  good  as  gold  in 
every  market-place  of  the  world.  [Applause.]  Our 
bonds  at  three  per  cent,  interest  could  easily  have  been 
sold  at  a  premium  when  they  were  offered  to  the  people, 
but  the  law  prohibited  it.  But  no  sooner  had  they 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  315 

passed  into  the  possession  of  the  people  than  they  at 
once  advanced  in  price.  There  is  no  fear  of  the  ability 
of  the  government  to  meet  every  one  of  its  obligations. 
The  greenbacks  no  longer  seek  the  Treasury  to  drain  it 
of  gold.  The  people  want  the  greenbacks  and  prefer 
them  to  gold.  The  endless  chain  has  been  broken,  and 
endless  confidence  in  the  government  has  set  in.  [Ap 
plause.] 

Not  only  is  this  country  strong  and  rich  and  pros 
perous  in  its  material  things,  but  it  is  mighty  in  its 
intelligence,  virtue,  and  patriotism.  [Applause.]  We 
have  fought  a  war  since  I  last  met  you— a  war,  not  for 
territory,  not  for  gain,  not  for  glory,  but  for  humanity. 
[Great  applause.]  And  the  war  was  stopped  sooner 
than  anybody  expected  it  would  be.  We  sunk  the 
enemy's  ships  at  Manila,  and  we  sunk  their  ships  at 
Santiago ;  and  we  took  the  surrender  of  all  their  troops 
in  the  West  Indies,  and  subsequently  of  all  their  troops 
in  the  Philippines.  [Applause.]  And  the  islands  are 
ours!  [Enthusiastic  applause.  A  voice,  " We  want  to 
keep  them,  Mr.  President !"]  The  voice  of  the  people  in 
this  country  is  the  law  of  the  land.  [Great  applause.] 
Our  flag  is  in  the  Philippines,  and  our  brave  boys  are 
carrying  it  in  honor,  and  the  government  of  the  United 
States  will  stand  behind  them.  [Long-continued  ap 
plause.] 


316  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CLXXXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  MOUNT  HOREB,  WISCONSIN, 
OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  meet  the  people  of 
this  community,  and  to  be  presented  by  one  of  your 
neighbors  and  fellow-citizens,  your  representative  in 
Congress  [Representative  Dahle]. 

I  congratulate  you  all  upon  the  condition  of  the 
country  as  a  whole  and  upon  the  prosperous  condition 
of  the  people.  Hard  times  have  given  place  to  good 
times.  We  are  enjoying  an  era  of  debt-paying  rather 
than  debt-making.  We  are  not  only  prosperous  in  our 
domestic  manufactures  and  our  domestic  trade,  but  we 
are  extremely  fortunate  in  our  foreign  trade.  I  note  by 
the  newspapers  this  morning  that  in  the  month  of  Sep 
tember  of  this  year— last  month  only— we  sent  abroad 
twenty  million  dollars'  worth  of  our  products  more  than 
we  sent  in  September,  1898 ;  so  that  we  are  not  only 
manufacturing  more  in  this  country  and  producing 
more  than  we  ever  did,  but  we  are  finding  a  larger  and 
wider  market.  We  send  more  of  our  goods  abroad  and 
buy  less  abroad  than  formerly,  and  the  balance  of  trade 
is  therefore  in  our  favor,  and  comes  to  us  in  gold. 

Not  only,  my  fellow-citizens,  have  we  been  fortunate 
in  our  business  affairs,  but  we  have  been  alike  fortunate 
in  the  war  that  has  been  concluded.  No  nation  was  ever 
more  happy  than  ours  that  it  was  quickly  disposed  of. 
The  fleet  of  Dewey  in  Manila  and  the  American  fleet  in 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  317 

Santiago  soon  destroyed  all  of  the  Spanish  sea-power, 
and  when  that  was  done  the  victory  was  won.  And 
through  all  that  war,  my  countrymen,  we  had  the  high 
est  exhibitions  of  humanity.  Our  fallen  foes  were 
tenderly  cared  for.^We  observed  the  highest  honor  in 
all  our  dealings  withthe  Spanish  people  ;  and  as  a  result 
of  that  war  grave  responsibilities  were  put  upon  us. 
We  did  not  seek  them.  We  went  only  that  we  might 
relieve  the  Cuban  people  of  an  oppression  under  which 
they  had  been  suffering  for  years — our  neighbors,  close 
to  us,  almost  on  our  very  borders.  We  went  to  war 
•  I  i  that  we  might  give  them  relief,  and  as  a  result  we  have 
*  rorio  Kico  and  the  Philippines.  They  have  come  to 
us  in  the  providence  of  God,  and  we  must  carry  the 
burden,  whatever  it  may  be,  in  the  interest  of  civiliza 
tion,  humanity,  and  liber ty\  [Great  applause J 

CLXXXIX. 

SPEECH  AT  MADISON,  WISCONSIN,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  have  the  most  pleasant  memories  of  my  former 
visits  to  your  beautiful  capital  city.  On  those  occa 
sions  we  were  engaged  in  the  discussion  of  great  eco 
nomic  questions  affecting  the  interests  of  the  country. 
The  voice  of  partizanship  is  hushed  to-day,  and  the 
voice  of  patriotism  is  alone  heard  in  the  land.  [Great 
applause.]  We  know  neither  party  nor  creed  nor  sect 
nor  nationality  in  our  devotion  to  a  common  country 
and  a  common  flag.  We  are  all  one  in  the  presence  of 
a  great  national  duty,  and  there  are  no  divisions  among 


318  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

us   whenever   our  flag  is    assailed,   wherever  and  by 
whomsoever.     [Enthusiastic  applause.] 

We  have  gone  through  a  war,  the  celerity  of  which 

and  the  results  of  which  are  scarcely  recorded  of  any 

*  other  war  in  history.     The  American.* arms  triumphed  on 

land  and  on  sea,  with  unprecedented  exemption  from 

>  disease  and  death  on  the  part  of  our  soldiers  and  sailors. 
We  are  proud  of  the  army  and  the  navy.  They  have 
brought  us  great  responsibilities  j  they  have  brought  us 
new  acquisitions  and  new  territory ;  and  it  is  for  us  to 
accept  those  responsibilities,  meet  them  with  manly 
courage,  respond  in  a  manly  fashion  to  manly  duty,  and 
do  what  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man  is  just  and  righf.  * 
[Great  applause.] 

|  One  tribe,  and  a  small  fraction  of  that  tribe,  is  ques 
tioning  the  sovereignty  of  the  United  States  in  the  island 
of  Luzon.  The  very  people  we  emancipated  from  op 
pression  assailed  our  flag  and  shot  our  soldiers.  The 
shedding  of  blood  is  anguish  to  my  soul.  The  giving 
up  of  the  lives  of  our  bravest  and  best  young  men 
wrings  my  heart.  The  shedding  of  the  blood  of  the 
misguided  Filipinos  is  a  matter  of  sorrow  to  all  of 
us.  And  yet  they  are  resisting  the  sovereignty  of 
the  United  States  over  a  territory  which  we  acquired, 
not  by  conquest  alone,  but  by  the  solemn  treaty  of 
peace  sanctioned  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 
When  our  authority  is  undisputed  in  every  part  of  that 
archipelago  hostilities  will  stop.  May  that  time  soon 
come !  [Enthusiastic  cheering.] 

It  is  said  we  could  have  peace  if  we  would  give  them 
independence  and  a  government  of  their  own  under  their 
own  sovereignty.  It  is  said  that  if  the  President  would 
do  this  we  would  have  peace.  The  President  has  no 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  319 

power,  even  if  he  was  disposed,  which  he  is  not  [great 
applause],  to  alienate  a  single  foot  of  territory  which  we 
have  honestly  acquired,  or  give  up  sovereignty  over  it 
to  any  other  peoples.  [Cheers.]  That  power  belongs 
to  the  people.  It  is  vested  in  Congress,  which  repre 
sents  the  people,  and  no  such  power  was  ever  given  to 
the  Chief  Executive  by  the  people,  by  Congress,  or  by 
the  Constitution,  and  to  use  it  would  be  a  base  usur 
pation  of  prerogative  by  the  Chief  Executive  of  the 
government.  And  then,  if  we  were  going  to  cede  the 
islands  away,  to  whom  would  we  cede  them  ?  There  is 
no  government  there  but  ours.  The  great  majority  of 
the  people  acknowledge  allegiance  to  our  flag,  and  are 
glad  to  have  the  shelter  of  its  protection. 
/My  fellow-citizens,  the  Philippines  caine  to  us  not  of 
our  seeking :  none  of  us  ever  dreamed,  when  this  war 
commenced,  that  we  were  to  have  either  Porto  Rico  or 
the  Philippine  Islands.  We  went  to  war  for  civilization 
and  for  humanity,  to  relieve  our  oppressed  neighbors  in 
Cuba*^  I  was  one  of  those  who  held  back  until  the  last 
moment,  hoping  that  war  might  be  averted.  I  did  not 
want  to  involve  my  country  in  bloodshed.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  But  the  war  came,  and  a  few  of  those  who 
wanted  it  most  are  now  trying  to  shirk  its  responsibili 
ties.  [Enthusiastic  and  continued  applause.]  Man 
plans,  but  God  Almighty  executes^  We  cannot  avoid 
our  responsibility .\There  was  no  fault  in  the  victory; 
there  must  be  no  nalting  in  upholding  it.  We  have  the 
Philippines,  and  our  flag  is  there. 

This  subject  of  expansion  is  not  a  new  one.  It  was 
the  gospel  of  the  early  statesmen  and  patriots  of  this 
country.  It  found  substantial  realization  in  the  mag 
nificent  achievement  of  that  illustrious  statesman, 


' 


320  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Thomas  Jefferson.  It  was  the  dream  of  Marcy.  In  1853 
he  sought  to  acquire  the  Hawaiian  Islands.  It  was  the 
dream  of  Seward  j  it  was  the  dream  of  Douglas.  Let 
me  read  you  what  Stephen  A.  Douglas  said  in  1858— 
forty-one  years  ago : 

It  is  idle  to  tell  me  or  you  that  we  have  land  enough.  Our 
fathers  supposed  that  we  had  enough  when  our  territory  extended 
to  the  Mississippi  River,  but  a  few  years'  growth  and  expansion 
satisfied  them  that  we  needed  more,  and  the  Louisiana  Territory, 
from  the  west  branch  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  British  possessions, 
was  acquired.  Then  we  acquired  Oregon,  then  California  and 
New  Mexico.  We  have  enough  now  for  the  present.  But  this  is 
a  young  and  growing  nation.  It  swarms  as  often  as  a  hive  of 
bees,  and  as  new  swarms  are  turned  out  each  year  there  must  be 
hives  in  which  they  can  gather  and  make  their  honey.  In  less 
than  fifteen  years,  with  the  same  progress,  this  country  will  be  occu 
pied.  Will  you  not  continue  to  increase  at  the  end  of  fifteen  years  as 
well  as  now?  I  tell  you,  increase  and  multiply  and  expand  is  the  law 
of  this  nation's  existence.  You  cannot  limit  this  great  republic  by 
mere  boundary -lines,  saying,  "Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no 
farther."  Any  one  of  you  gentlemen  might  as  well  say  to  a  son  twelve 
years  old  that  he  is  big  enough  and  must  not  grow  any  larger.  .  .  . 
With  our  natural  increase,  growing  with  a  rapidity  unknown  to  any 
other  part  of  the  globe,  with  the  tide  of  immigration  that  is  fleeing 
from  despotism  in  the  Old  World  to  seek  refuge  in  our  own,  there  is 
a  constant  torrent  pouring  into  this  country  that  requires  more 
land,  more  territory  upon  which  to  settle ;  and  just  as  fast  as  our 
interests  and  our  destiny  require  additional  territory  in  the  north, 
or  in  the  south,  or  on  the  islands  of  the  ocean,  I  am  for  it. 
...>  , 

I  have  been  more  than  glad  to  meet  the  young  men 

of  the  State  university.  [Applause.]  Only  a  few  years 
more  and  upon  them  and  upon  the  other  young  men  of 
the  country  will  rest  the  responsibility  of  government. 
I  bid  them  and  all  the  boys  of  the  land,  while  they  have 
an  opportunity,  to  equip  themselves  for  this  great  trust, 
that  they  may  be  able  to  carry  on  the  government  un- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  321 

impaired  in  vigor,  virtue,  liberty,  and  conscience.     [En 
thusiastic  and  long-continued  applause.] 


cxc. 

SPEECH  AT  WAUKESHA,  WISCONSIN, 
OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

As  I  return  homeward  from  the  great  West,  it  gives 
me  much  pleasure  to  stop  in  your  city.  My  journey 
has  been  one  of  increasing  interest.  Everywhere  we 
have  gone,  whether  in  the  town  or  the  city  or  the 
village  or  by  the  farmside,  we  have  been  welcomed 
by  the  same  joyous  hearts  and  with  the  same  warm 
words  with  which  you  receive  us  here  to-night.  [Ap 
plause.]  I  go  back  stronger  for  the  great  duties  and 
responsibilities  which  the  people  three  years  ago  placed 
upon  me,  and  with  unfaltering  faith  in  the  wisdom  and 
the  patriotism  and  the  virtue  and  the  power  of  the 
American  people.  [Great  applause.] 

The  school-children  about  us  are  being  prepared  every 
day,  not  only  in  the  home,  but  in  the  school,  for  the  re 
sponsibilities  which  in  time  will  rest  upon  them,  to  carry 
forward  this  great  structure  of  government.  In  their 
hands  and  in  yours  liberty  is  safe,  not  only  within  the 
United  States,  but  in  every  part  of  the  territory  of  the 
United  States  over  which  our  flag  floats.  [Long-con 
tinued  applause.] 


322  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CXCI. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  DEUTSCHER  CLUB,  MILWAUKEE, 
WISCONSIN,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  thank  the  people  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  and  all  the 
people  present,  for  their  magnificent  welcome  here  to 
night.  I  have  every  assurance  that  it  comes  from  your 
warm  hearts,  not  to  me  as  an  individual,  but  as  expres 
sive  of  your  love  of  country  [great  applause]  and  your 
devotion  to  our  free  institutions  [continued  applause], 
which  give  the  highest  rewards  to  human  energy  and 
the  widest  opportunities  for  human  development.  [Con 
tinued  applause.] 

Nothing  can  befall  this  republic  so  long  as  the  people 
of  the  United  States  exhibit  that  loyalty  and  patriotism 
which  have  characterized  them  from  1776  down  to  the 
present  year.  [Applause.]  This  republic  rests  not  upon 
force,  not  upon  the  strength  of  our  armies  or  our  navies, 
but  upon  the  masterful  power  of  the  American  people. 
[Great  applause.]  And  I  do  not  mistake  the  temper 
of  the  people  when  I  say  that  wherever  that  starry 
banner  of  the  free  is  raised  it  stands  for  liberty  and 
humanity  [continued  applause] ;  and  whoever  assails  it 
and  wherever  it  is  assailed,  the  assailants  will  be  met 
with  the  strong,  mighty  arm  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States.  [Enthusiastic  applause,  long  continued.] 

I  thank  you  one  and  all  for  this  hearty  reception,  and 
wish  for  you  the  highest  realization  of  all  that  is  noble 
in  life,  in  character,  and  in  home.  [Long-continued 
applausec] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  323 


CXCII. 

SPEECH  AT  THE  BANQUET  OF  THE  MERCHANTS  AND 
MANUFACTURERS'  ASSOCIATION,  MILWAUKEE,  WISCON 
SIN,  OCTOBER  16,  1899. 

J/>'.  Toastmaster  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  am  profoundly  grateful  to  the  Merchants  and  Manu 
facturers'  Association  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee  for  this 
more  than  hospitable  welcome.  I  am  glad  to  meet  with 
the  representative  business  men  of  this  enterprising  city, 
whose  commercial  integrity  and  business  honor  stand, 
and  have  stood,  unsullied  amidst  the  shock  and  peril  of 
financial  disaster,  and  stand  to-night  unchallenged  in 
the  business  world.  [Applause.] 

I  rejoice  at  your  progress  and  prosperity.  Your  prod 
ucts  last  year,  amounting  to  one  hundred  and  forty- 
two  million  dollars,  were  carried  on  every  sea  and  to 
most  of  the  ports  of  the  world.  May  we  not  hope,  with 
our  expanding  markets  and  our  increasing  export  trade, 
at  no  very  distant  future  to  rehabilitate  our  merchant 
marine  and  send  our  ships  of  commerce  into  every  ocean, 
carrying  American  products  under  the  shelter  of  the 
American  flag  ?  [Applause.] 

In  the  acquisition  of  wealth  the  people  of  Milwaukee 
have  not  forgotten  the  aids  and  refinements  of  civiliza 
tion.  I  passed  to-night  that  noble  monument  to  learn 
ing  and  education,  your  public  library  and  museum. 
[Applause.]  At  the  public  reception,  with  the  thousands 
that  passed  by  me  there  was  one  small  boy,  not  above 
fourteen  years  of  age,  poorly  clad,  but  with  bright  eyes 
and  a  manty  face,  carrying  a  book  under  his  arm  that  he 


324  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

had  drawn  from  that  public  library.  [Applause.]  This 
aid,  with  others  which  the  nation  and  the  State  are  fur 
nishing,  will  equip  the  young  men  of  the  country  to  take 
the  trust  and  responsibilities  of  public  affairs  after  we 
shall  have  laid  them  down. 

This  State  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  not  only  of 
its  educational  progress  and  its  industrial  triumphs,  but 
of  its  patriotism.  [Applause.]  In  the  great  Civil  War  you 
furnished  tens  of  thousands  of  brave  men,  who  went 
forth  to  give  their  lives,  if  need  be,  for  the  preservation 
of  the  Union.  No  service  was  too  great,  no  demand  of 
country  too  severe  for  the  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War.  And 
in  the  recent  war  with  Spain  you  did  your  full  part,  and 
furnished  your  full  quota  with  a  promptness  and  alac 
rity  equal  to  that  of  any  other  State  of  the  Union. 
[Great  applause.]  Milwaukee  has  every  reason  to  be 
proud  of  the  men  she  has  furnished  as  soldiers  and  sailors  : 
General  King  [applause],  faithful  to  his  country  in  the 
Philippines ;  and  that  other  gallant  and  intrepid  soldier 
who  has  added  new  laurels  to  American  arms  in  the  per 
son  of  General  MacArthur.  [Great  applause.]  Born  in 
your  city,  he  has  brought  honor  to  the  place  of  his  birth. 
And  then  in  that  other  branch  of  the  public  service,  the 
navy,  you  furnished  the  executive  officer  of  the  Oregon 
[applause],  the  ship  that  traveled  fourteen  thousand 
miles  around  the  world,  and  when  it  reached  our  shore, 
wired  to  Washington  that  it  was  ready  for  duty  and 
needed  no  repairs  [great  applause] ;  and  Captain  Cot 
ton,  who  came  from  this  city  [applause],  commanded 
that  auxiliary  to  the  navy  known  as  the  Harvard,  and 
did  valiant  service  in  the  West  Indies. 

We  are  all  proud  of  our  country.  The  toast  you  have 
given  me  is  "  The  President  of  the  United  States."  It 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  325 

is  not  proper  at  a  banquet  to  speak  to  your  toast. 
[Laughter.]  Some  people  appear  to  be  disturbed  about 
the  President's  policy.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  The 
President  has  no  policy  against  the  will  of  the  people. 
[Enthusiastic  applause.]  The  best  policy  in  this  world 
for  man  or  nation  is  duty.  [Applause.]  Where  that 
calls  we  should  follow.  We  should  not  halt.  We  should 
not  hesitate.  Responsibility  born  of  duty  cannot  be 
evaded  with  honor.  We  are  in  the  Philippines.  Our 
flag  is  there.  The  first  requirement,  the  indispensable 
requirement,  is  peace.  [Enthusiastic  applause,  long  con 
tinued.]  No  terms  until  the  undisputed  authority  of 
the  United  States  shall  be  acknowledged  throughout 
the  archipelago  !  After  that  Congress  will  make  a  gov 
ernment  under  the  sovereignty  of  the  United  States. 
[Cries  of  "  Good  !  "  Applause.]  In  no  other  way,  gentle 
men,  can  we  give  peace  to  the  national  conscience  or  peace 
to  the  world.  [Long-continued  applause.  1 


CXCIII. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  IRON  FOUNDRIES,  MILWAUKEE, 
WISCONSIN,  OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

J/#  Fellow- Citizens  : 

As  I  have  been  journeying  through  the  country  I  have 
been  welcomed  with  a  warm  cordiality  by  my  fellow-citi 
zens,  but  at  no  place  have  I  had  a  reception  that  has 
given  me  more  genuine  pleasure,  more  real  satisfaction, 
than  the  greetings  of  the  working-men  of  this  great  estab 
lishment  and  the  other  great  establishments  of  this  city 
about  the  buildings  in  which  they  toil.  [Great  applause.] 


326  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

I  congratulate  you  all  upon  the  prosperity  of  the 
country.  The  employer  is  looking  for  the  laborer  and 
not  the  laborer  for  the  employer,  and  I  am  glad  to  note, 
from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other,  a  universal  de 
mand  for  labor. 

I  thank  you  more  than  I  can  find  words  to  express,  and 
wishing  you  all  good  things,  I  bid  you  good-by.  [En 
thusiastic  applause.] 


CXCIV. 

SPEECH  AT  RACINE,  WISCONSIN,  OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

If  I  were  not  moved  by  the  welcome  of  this  great 
assemblage  of  my  countrymen  I  would  be  indifferent 
indeed  to  all  human  sensibilities.  I  am  glad  to  stand  in 
this  city  of  diversified  industries  and  busy  toilers  and 
look  into  the  faces  of  the  people  who  have  made  your 
city  what  it  is. 

This  is  a  nation  of  high  privilege  and  great  op 
portunity.  We  have  the  free  school,  the  open  Bible, 
freedom  of  religious  worship  and  conviction.  We  have 
the  broadest  opportunity  for  advancement,  with  every 
door  open.  The  humblest  among  you  may  aspire  to 
the  highest  place  in  public  favor  and  confidence.  As  a 
result  of  our  free  institutions  the  great  body  of  the  men 
who  control  public  affairs  in  State  and  nation,  who  con 
trol  the  great  business  enterprises  of  the  country,  the 
railroads  and  other  industries,  came  from  the  humble 
American  home  and  from  the  ranks  of  the  plain  people 
of  the  United  States.  [Applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  327 

I  have  no  sympathy  with  that  sentiment  which  would 
divide  my  countrymen  into  classes.  I  have  no  sym 
pathy  with  that  sentiment  which  would  put  the  rich  man 
on  the  one  side  and  the  poor  man  on  the  other,— -labor 
on  one  side  and  capital  011  the  other  [applause],— because 
all  of  them  are  equal  before  the  law,  all  of  them  have 
equal  power  in  the  conduct  of  the  government.  Every 
man's  vote  in  the  United  States  is  the  equal  of  every 
other's  on  that  supreme  day  when  we  choose  rulers  and 
Congresses  and  governors  and  legislatures.  [Applause.] 

Our  citizens  may  accumulate  great  wealth,  and  many 
of  them  do ;  but  they  cannot  take  it  with  them,  nor  can 
they  entail  it  from  generation  to  generation.  He  who 
inherits  must  keep  it  by  his  own  prudence  or  sagacity. 
If  he  does  not,  it  is  divided  up  among  his  fellows. 

My  fellow-citizens,  I  am  here  only  to  speak  a  word  of 
thanks  and  of  gratitude  for  this  welcome.  Our  country 
is  more  prosperous  to-day  than  it  has  ever  been  before. 
It  is  more  patriotic  at  this  hour  than  at  any  other  hour 
in  all  its  history.  Our  thoughts,  our  prayers  go  to  the 
brave  men  in  the  distant  islands  of  the  sea  who  are 
upholding  the  flag  in  honor.  [Great  applause.]  And 
while  they  are  doing  that  we  will  uphold  them. 
[Cries  of  "  Good  !  "  Applause.]  All  hostilities  will 
cease  in  the  Philippines  when  those  who  commenced 
them  stop  [applause] ;  and  they  will  not  cease  until  our 
flag,  representing  liberty,  humanity,  and  civilization, 
shall  float  triumphantly  in  every  island  of  the  archi 
pelago  under  the  acknowledged  sovereignty  of  the  repub 
lic  of  the  United  States.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


328  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

CXGV. 

REMARKS  AT  KENOSHA,  WISCONSIN,  OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  very  much  value  the  great  receptions  which  have 
been  accorded  to  the  members  of  my  official  family  and 
myself  as  we  have  journeyed  through  our  vast  country. 
I  never  meet  a  great  concourse  of  people  like  the  one 
which  stands  before  me,  representative  as  it  is  of  Ameri 
can  life  and  character,  carrying  the  flag  of  our  country 
borne  by  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  War  and  by  the  newer 
soldiers  of  the  Spanish  War,  and  the  children,  and  all  the 
people  having  love  of  country  in  their  hearts,  that  I  do 
not  feel  that  the  free  institutions  which  were  so  wisely 
established  by  the  fathers  will  be  forever  safe  in  the 
hands  of  the  American  people. 

This  is  a  busy  hive  of  industry,  where  every  man 
can  find  work  and  wages,  where  all  the  people  are 
contented  and  happy  and  prosperous,  and  where  all 
of  them  love  the  flag  and  would  have  it  maintained 
in  honor.  [Great  applause.]  The  patriotism  of  the 
country  was  never  higher  than  at  this  moment ;  and 
there  is  just  one  thing  in  the  mind  of  every  true  Amer 
ican  to-day,  and  that  is  that  our  flag,  which  has  been  as 
sailed  in  the  Philippines,  shall  triumph,  and  those  who 
assail  it  shall  fail  of  their  purpose.  [Enthusiastic  cheer 
ing.]  And  hostilities  in  that  distant  island  of  Luzon 
will  cease  whenever  all  the  people  recognize  the  authority 
and  sovereignty  of  the  United  States.  [Long-continued 
applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  329 

CXCVI. 

SPEECH  AT  WAUKEGAN,  ILLINOIS.  OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

Mr.  Ma i/o)',  my  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  thank  you  for  the  words  of  welcome  spoken  in 
your  behalf  by  the  mayor  of  this  enterprising  city.  I 
am  always  glad  to  meet  the  people  whom  it  is  my 
privilege  and  honor  for  the  time  to  serve.  I  am 
glad  to  confess  in  any  presence  that  I  never  meet  my 
countrymen  in  public  assembly  that  I  am  not  assisted  in 
the  great  responsibilities  which,  by  their  suffrages,  I  am 
carrying,  and  that  I  am  not  strengthened  by  such  com 
mingling  with  them.  The  counsels  of  the  people  in  a 
government  like  ours  are  always  noble  and  useful.  The 
will  of  the  people  is  the  law  of  the  land ;  and  I  am  glad 
to  know  not  only  what  my  countrymen  are  thinking 
about,  but  to  be  advised  by  them  always  of  what  they 
think  is  right  and  what  is  best  in  administration  and 
government.  For,  after  all,  the  great  body  of  the  people 
have  a  single  interest,  that  of  having  their  government 
wisely,  faithfully,  and  honestly  administered.  They 
have  little  care  for  mere  individuals,  except  as  the  in 
dividual  may  serve  them  best,  and  best  represent  the 
principles  which  are  dear  to  them  in  governmental  policy. 

Above  all  else  you  want  your  government  administered 
with  integrity  and  for  the  equal  benefit  of  all.  [Ap 
plause.]  You  want  it  to  be,  not  the  representative  of  one 
class  of  people,  or  still  another  class  of  people,  but  of 
all  the  people,  and  to  embody  in  it  the  best  aims  and  the 
noblest  aspirations  of  all. 


330  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

And  so  I  shall  go  back  to  the  great  duties  of  my 
office  cheered  by  your  encouraging  words,  strengthened 
by  your  happy  faces,  in  which  I  read  devotion  to  coun 
try  and  an  increasing  love  for  our  free  institutions. 
[Applause.]  I  shall  go  back  feeling  that  I  carry  with  me 
the  purposes  which  are  in  your  hearts  j  and  if  I  can 
carry  those  purposes  into  public  administration,  then  I 
will  have  achieved  the  highest  mission  of  a  public  servant. 
[Applause.] 

I  think  I  know,  I  am  sure  I  know,  what  is  uppermost 
in  every  mind  here  to-day.  You  are  thinking  of  your 
country  j  not  of  its  interests  here  at  home,  for  with  them 
you  are  fairly  satisfied  and  feel  that  they  are  secure. 
You  are  thinking  of  the  vast  interests  of  the  govern 
ment  in  the  new  possessions  which  have  come  to  us  by 
the  fortunes  of  war.  Your  hearts  go  out  to  the  brave 
men  in  the  distant  islands  of  the  Pacific,  where  they  are 
maintaining  the  sovereignty  of  the  United  States  over  a 
territory  ceded  to  us  by  Spain  by  treaty,  which  has  the 
solemn  sanction  not  only  of  the  ratifying  power  of 
the  Senate,  but  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 
[Great  applause.] 

I  cannot,  my  fellow-citizens,  misread  your  purpose  and 
your  conception  of  public  duty.  I  am  endeavoring,  as 
I  am  bound  to  do  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  to  execute  the  laws  in  every  foot  of  territory 
that  belongs  to  us.  [Applause.]  Rebellion  has  been 
raised  against  your  authority  in  a  territory  that  is  as 
much  our  own  as  Alaska  or  the  District  of  Columbia  or 
any  territory  of  the  United  States  [applause] ;  and  that 
rebellion  will  be  put  down  [enthusiastic  applause],  and 
the  authority  of  the  United  States  will  be  made  supreme. 
[General  cry  of  "  Good !  "  Great  applause.] 


OF   WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  331 

Some  people  say  the  President  is  carrying  on  an 
unholy  war  in  the  Philippines— an  unholy  war  to  uphold 
the  holy  banner  of  the  free  which  these  children  carry  in 
their  hands,  and  which  represents  the  sovereignty  of  the 
republic  !  [Great  applause.]  The  people  of  the  United 
States  never  had  an  appeal  made  to  duty  which  was  in 
vain.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


OXCVII. 

SPEECH  AT  EVANSTOX,  ILLINOIS,  OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

My  Felloiv-Citizens : 

The  welcome  of  the  people  of  this  city  of  culture  and 
of  homes  is  most  gratifying  to  me.  I  am  glad  to  meet 
all  the  people  and  the  students  of  the  great  university 
located  here.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  an  alumnus  of 
that  institution,  and  it  is  a  great  distinction  to  be  on  its 
roll.  [Applause.] 

There  will  be  much  in  the  future  resting  upon  the 
young  men  of  the  country — the  educated  young  men ; 
and,  fortunately,  under  our  institutions  every  boy  has 
an  opportunity  to  get  a  liberal  education  to  fit  him 
for  every  occupation  and  calling  of  life.  The  responsi 
bilities  which  rest  upon  this  nation  at  this  time  are 
grave,  but  our  duty  is  plain  and  unmistakable,  and  we 
must  follow  its  commands  and  meet  these  responsibilities 
with  courage  and  wisdom. 

The  authority  of  the  United  States  is  assailed  in  one 
of  the  islands  of  the  Pacific.  That  authority  will  be  es 
tablished  in  those  islands.  [Great  applause.]  The  boys 
who  carry  our  flag  in  that  distant  sea  will  be  sustained 


332  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

by  the  American  people.  [Great  applause.]  It  is  the  flag 
of  our  faith  and  our  purpose  j  it  is  the  flag  of  our  love. 
It  represents  the  conscience  of  the  country,  and  carries 
with  it,  wherever  it  goes,  education,  civilization,  and 
liberty.  [Enthusiastic  applause.]  And  let  those  lower 
it  who  will !  [Cries  of  "  Never !  "]  Peace  first,  then 
government  afterward,  giving  the  largest  liberty  possi 
ble  and  the  largest  participation  in  government  of 
which  the  inhabitants  are  capable.  [Long-continued 
applause.] 

CXCVIIL 

REMARKS  AT  MICHIGAN  CITY,  INDIANA, 
OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens: 

This  is  an  unexpected,  but,  I  assure  you,  a  most  ap 
preciated  greeting  from  my  fellow-citizens  of  Indiana. 
I  am  glad  to  see  the  school-children  here,  waving  the 
flag  of  their  country,  the  flag  they  love  so  much,  the 
flag  that  means  so  much  to  all  of  us.  I  am  glad  to  see 
the  working-men  assembled  here  to-day,  and  to  know 
that  in  every  part  of  our  country  they  have  employment 
and  wages,  which  bring  comfort  and  hope  and  happi 
ness  to  their  homes.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  333 


CXCIX. 

REMARKS  AT  THREE  OAKS,  MICHIGAN, 
OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

My  Felloiv-  Citizens  : 

We  have  had  very  many  beautiful  receptions  in  our 
long  journey  through  the  great  Northwest,  but  I  assure 
you  we  have  had  none  more  unique  than  the  one  you 
have  given  us  here  in  Three  Oaks.  I  am  glad  to  observe 
the  patriotic  purpose  of  this  people  to  preserve  in  mem 
ory  for  all  who  may  come  after  the  lesson  of  the  great 
achievements  of  the  American  navy.  It  has  been  given 
to  few  navies  of  the  world  to  win  such  signal  and 
memorable  triumphs,  accomplished,  too,  without  any 
loss  of  life.  And  the  triumph  which  Dewey  achieved  at 
Manila,  and  which  gave  us  the  Philippine  Islands  as  our 
territory  and  possession,  accepted  by  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  will  be  upheld  by  the  American  peo 
ple.  [Great  applause.]  And  our  flag  that  floats  there, 
not  as  the  symbol  of  enslavement,  but  of  emancipa 
tion,  representing,  as  it  does,  the  authority  of  the  gov 
ernment  of  the  United  States,  will  be  supported  to 
victory  by  all  our  people.  [Enthusiastic  applause.] 


334  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

cc. 

REMARKS  AT  NILES,  MICHIGAN,  OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

The  name  you  bear  is  a  very  familiar  one  to  me.  It 
is  the  name  of  the  town  in  which  I  was  born  in  Ohio. 
[Great  applause.]  So  that  associated  with  it  are  some 
of  the  sweetest  and  pleasantest  memories  of  my  boy 
hood  days. 

I  am  glad  to  feel,  from  the  presence  of  this  large 
assembly  at  this  time  of  the  evening,  the  assurance  that 
you  are  here  because  of  your  devotion  to  your  country. 
[Great  applause.]  In  your  welcome  to  the  Chief  Execu 
tive  of  the  nation  you  express  your  love  and  loyalty  to  the 
government  over  which,  by  your  suffrages,  he  presides. 

It  gives  me  pleasure,  also,  to  look  into  the  faces  of  the 
constituents  of  my  friend,  your  representative  in  Con 
gress,  Mr.  Hamilton.  [Great  applause.] 


CCI. 

REMARKS  AT  BATTLE  CREEK,  MICHIGAN, 
OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

My  Felloiv- Citizens : 

No  human  voice  could  reach  the  limits  of  this  great 
throng  of  my  assembled  countrymen.  This  welcome 
which  you  accord  to  me  to-night  was  wholly  unexpected, 
but  I  assure  you  it  gives  me  unbounded  pleasure.  I  re- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  335 

call  with  the  pleasantest  memories  a  former  visit  I  made 
to  this  city  several  years  ago.  Then  you  gave  me  warm 
greeting.  To-night's  so  far  surpasses  it  that  I  am  deeply 
touched,  and  am  not  able  to  make  suitable  acknowledg 
ment. 

On  the  occasion  of  my  last  visit  I  was  discussing 
before  you  certain  great  economic  questions.  Those 
questions,  for  the  time  at  least,  have  been  settled,  and  I 
think  happily  settled.  I  stop  to-night  only  to  utter  in  a 
single  sentence  the  gratitude  of  my  heart  for  the  splendid 
patriotism  of  the  American  people  in  the  past  eighteen 
months.  [Applause.]  Michigan  was  not  only  great  in 
her  devotion  to  her  country  in  the  Civil  War,  but  when 
the  war  with  Spain  came  she  was  quick  to  respond  to 
the  call  of  country,  and  her  regiments  were  ready  to  do 
and  die  for  the  honor  of  the  government  and  for  the 
relief  of  the  people  of  Cuba  from  the  oppression  under 
which  they  had  suffered  for  so  many  years.  I  make 
public  acknowledgment  here,  as  I  do  elsewhere,  for  this 
almost  unprecedented  demonstration  in  favor  of  coun 
try.  Michigan  stood  with  us  in  the  war  until  peace 
came.  Michigan  will  stand  with  us  until  the  rebellion  is 
suppressed  in  Luzon  and  the  flag  of  the  nation  floats  in 
triumph  where  it  is  now  raised  in  the  cause  of  humanity. 
[Enthusiastic  applause.) 

ecu. 

SPEECH  AT  JACKSON,  MICHIGAN,  OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

Mr.  Mayor  and  my  Fellow-Citizens  : 

I  have  very  great  regard  as  well  as  sympathy  for  the 
patience  you  have  exercised  in  the  long  wait  you  have 


336  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

had  to  give  us  greeting.  I  thank  you  most  heartily 
for  this  expression  of  your  kindly  feeling  and  good  will. 

It  is  gratifying  to  note,  not  only  here,  but  everywhere 
throughout  the  country,  the  increasing  interest  of  the 
people  in  public  affairs.  The  vigilance  of  the  citizen  is 
the  safety  of  the  republic.  So  long  as  the  people  exer 
cise  a  high  degree  of  care  and  interest  for  the  govern 
ment,  so  long  will  the  republic  be  safe.  There  would 
seem  to  be  no  danger  from  indifference  at  the  present 
hour.  I  think  there  never  was  a  time  when  there  was 
so  much  thought  and  interest  in  public  affairs  as  now. 
Every  citizen  is  deeply  concerned  for  the  welfare  of  his 
country.  He  is  fairly  well  satisfied  with  conditions  at 
home.  He  is  satisfied  with  the  condition  of  the  Trea 
sury.  He  is  satisfied  with  the  condition  of  business  and 
the  universal  prosperity  which  everywhere  prevails. 
His  thought  is  not  so  much  at  home  as  it  is  in  the  new 
possessions  which  have  been  added  to  American  territory 
through  the  valor  of  American  arms  and  by  the  treaty 
of  peace.  The  thoughts  of  the  country  are  now  in  the 
Philippines.  They  follow  the  brave  men,  the  soldiers 
and  sailors  of  the  United  States,  who  are  upholding  the 
cause  of  our  country  in  those  distant  islands  of  the  sea. 
We  all  want  peace,  not  only  here,  but  there.  We  want 
the  sovereignty  and  authority  of  the  United  States 
recognized  in  that  territory  as  fully  as  it  is  recognized 
in  every  other  territory  belonging  to  the  American 
government.  [Applause.]  The  American  people  regret 
that  those  whom  they  emancipated,  the  very  people 
whom  they  relieved  from  oppression,  should  have 
turned  upon  the  soldiers  of  the  United  States,  foully 
assaulted  them,  and  resisted  our  sovereignty. 

But  having  done  it,  there  is  nothing  left  for  the  gov- 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  337 

ernment  of  the  United  States  to  do  but  to  establish,  at 
whatever  cost  may  be  required,  its  unquestioned  au 
thority  in  those  ceded  islands.  [Applause.]  And  as  the 
boys  at  the  front  are  carrying  the  flag,  the  hearts  of 
the  people  follow  them,  and  the  government  will  stand 
behind  them  until  that  flag  is  carried  to  a  triumphant 
peace.  [Great  applause.] 


com. 

REMARKS  AT  THE  HOLLENDEN,  CLEVELAND,  OHIO, 
OCTOBER  18,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

Many  friends  have  greeted  us  in  the  past  two  weeks 
as  we  have  traveled  through  the  country.  Our  wel 
come  has  been  warm  and  generous  and  heartfelt,  and 
it  is  especially  pleasant  to  come  back  to  the  early  friends, 
the  friends  of  a  lifetime,  whose  heart-throbs  I  have  felt  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  whose  unfaltering 
fidelity  to  the  cause  which,  for  the  moment,  I  represented, 
and  to  the  country  which  I  have  been  trying  to  serve, 
has  never  been  interrupted.  [Applause.]  And  whether 
they  are  new  friends  or  old,  whether  they  are  in  the  far 
Northwest  or  in  the  great  center  of  our  country,  all  of 
them  are  devoted  to  our  free  institutions  and  to  the 
honor  and  integrity  of  the  flag.  [Applause.]  I  think  I 
have  never  seen  such  a  demonstration  of  patriotism, 
such  an  exhibition  of  public  consecration,  as  I  have 
witnessed  in  the  last  two  weeks.  The  grave  and  serious 
problems  which  rest  upon  us  account  for  this  unusual 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  people  in  public  affairs.  The 

22 


338  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

problems  are  grave ;  the  responsibilities  are  great.  No 
body  feels  them  more  than  I  do.  And  yet,  my  countrymen, 
our  duty  is  plain,  straightforward,  unmistakable,  to  stand 
by  the  national  honor  and  protect  the  territory  we  got  by 
solemn  treaty.  [Enthusiastic  applause.]  Our  soldiers 
carrying  our  flag  in  Luzon  will  be  supported  by  the  peo 
ple  of  the  United  States  [continued  applause],  and  hos 
tilities  will  stop  in  that  distant  island  of  the  sea  when  the 
men  who  assaulted  our  flag  and  our  soldiers  shall  lay  down 
their  arms.  [Cries  of  "  Good  !  "  Applause.]  Peace  will 
come,  and  I  trust  and  believe  will  come  shortly,  and  we 
will  be  able  to  give  to  the  people  in  the  Philippines  a 
government  of  liberty  and  law,  a  government  which  will 
encourage  their  best  aspirations  and  their  noblest  aims, 
a  government  under  the  sovereignty  of  the  United 
States.  [Great  applause.l 


CCIV. 
SPEECH  AT  WARREN,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  18,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

With  unfeigned  pleasure  I  come  back,  after  many 
years  of  absence,  to  meet  my  fellow-citizens  of  the 
county  of  my  birth  and  boyhood.  I  need  not  assure 
you  that  this  presence  awakens  many  tender  and  sacred 
memories.  In  my  boyhood  days  I  recall  with  vivid 
recollections  the  elder  business  men  of  the  city  of 
Warren;  I  recall  the  old  and  distinguished  lawyers, 
the  merchants,  as  well  as  many  of  the  leading  farmers 
of  this  vicinity ;  and  to-day  I  see  but  few  of  them  before 
me  in  this  audience.  But  their  sons  have  taken  up  the 


OF   WILLIAM   McKIXLEY.  339 

work  which  was  inaugurated  by  their  intelligence  and 
industry,  and  you  now  have  one  of  the  most  thriving 
and  prosperous  cities  of  the  Western  Reserve. 

From  this  center  went  forth  some  of  the  best  citizenship 
of  the  country,  and  from  here  radiated  throughout  this 
entire  State — indeed,  through  the  nation — the  senti 
ment  of  liberty,  devotion  to  country,  and  love  of  the  flag. 
Great  men  were  produced  on  this  Western  Reserve,  and 
their  influence  has  been  felt  in  every  village  and  ham 
let  of  the  land.  The  people  of  the  Western  Reserve 
have  always  adhered  to  principle.  They  were  never 
side-tracked  by  mere  policy.  Whatever  in  their  minds 
and  consciences  was  right,  that  they  did ;  and  they  always 
pursued  the  path  of  duty,  which  they  believed  was  the 
path  of  right. 

We  have  now  before  us  some  problems  quite  as  serious 
as  any  that  have  ever  confronted  the  republic.  No  ap 
peal  can  be  made  to  this  constituency  in  vain.  We  are 
in  the  Philippines.  We  have  acquired  that  territory, 
not  by  conquest  alone,  but  by  solemn  treaty  and  with 
the  sanction  of  the  Senate  and  the  national  House  of 
Representatives.  That  territory  is  ours  just  as  much 
as  any  part  of  the  great  public  domain.  [Great  ap 
plause.]  It  came  to  us  not  of  our  own  seeking.  We 
did  not  go  out  after  it.  We  did  not  send  Dewey  to 
Manila  to  conquer  those  islands.  We  sent  him  to 
Manila  when  we  were  at  war  with  Spain,  to  destroy  the 
sea-power  of  the  government  against  which  we  were 
fighting.  [Great  applause.]  Dewey  found  its  ships  in 
the  harbor  of  Manila  and  obeyed  the  orders  of  his  gov 
ernment  to  capture  or  destroy  them.  [Continued  ap 
plause.]  When  that  was  done  there  was  a  duty  put  upon 
the  government  of  the  United  States  by  the  act  of 


340  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Dewey's  fleet— a  duty  to  protect  life  and  property  and 
preserve  the  peace  within  his  jurisdiction.  [Applause.] 
There  is  a  rebellion  in  one  of  the  islands  now,  but  it  will 
be  put  down  as  we  put  down  all  rebellions  against  the 
sovereignty  of  the  United  States.  [Enthusiastic  and 
long-continued  applause.]  Our  flag  is  there— rightfully 
there ;  as  rightfully  there  as  the  flag  that  floats  above 
me  is  here  ;  and  it  is  there,  not  as  the  flag  of  tyranny  or 
as  the  symbol  of  slavery,  but  it  is  there  for  what  it  is 
here  and  for  what  it  is  everywhere  [applause]— justice 
and  liberty  and  right  and  civilization.  And  wherever 
the  American  nation  plants  that  flag,  there  go  with  it 
the  hearts  and  consciences  and  humane  purposes  of  the 
American  people.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


ccv. 

REMARKS  AT  NILES,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  18,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

I  fear  I  will  not  be  able  to  make  myself  heard  by  this 
great  audience.  It  is  to  me  a  matter  of  extreme  pleasure 
to  be  able,  after  so  many  years  of  absence,  to  come  back  to 
the  old  town  in  which  I  was  born  [great  applause] ;  and 
I  need  not  tell  you  that  many  very  cherished  memories 
crowd  my  mind  as  I  stand  in  this  presence.  The  old 
frame  school-house  and  the  church  have  disappeared, 
and  in  their  places  splendid  structures  have  been  built. 

This  town  has  had  its  ups  and  its  downs.  I  am  glad 
to  know  that  it  is  enjoying  the  upward  rise  at  this  time, 
and  that  prosperity  is  in  your  shops  and  factories,  and 
happiness  and  contentment  in  your  homes. 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  341 

I  know,  my  fellow-citizens,  that  you  will  be  certain  of 
the  high  appreciation  I  feel  to  have  the  school-children 
of  my  native  town  here  in  such  vast  numbers  waving 
the  flag  we  love.  [Great  applause.]  We  never  loved 
that  flag  as  we  love  it  to-day.  There  never  were  so 
many  people  devoted  to  it,  willing  to  sacrifice  life  for  it, 
as  there  are  in  the  United  States  to-day.  And  wher 
ever  that  flag  is  raised  by  the  soldiers  of  the  United 
States,  it  represents  just  what  it  represents  here — the 
highest  privileges,  the  broadest  opportunities,  and  the 
widest  liberty  to  the  people  beneath  it.  [Enthusiastic 
applause.] 

CCVI. 
SPEECH  AT  YOUNGSTOWN,  OHIO,  OCTOBER  18,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens : 

This  seems  to  me  very  much  like  old  times,  and  recalls 
many  scenes  of  former  days.  I  do  not  conceal  in  this 
presence  the  very  high  pleasure  I  have  in  meeting  once 
more  in  this  city,  so  dear  to  me,  my  former  constituents 
and  my  old  friends  of  the  Eighteenth  Ohio  District.  I 
was  a  boy  in  the  county.  I  served  you  in  the  Con 
gress  of  the  United  States ;  I  served  you  as  governor 
of  our  beloved  State ;  and  while  holding  these  several 
offices  was  always  greeted  by  you  with  generous  and 
heartfelt  welcome.  And  I  can  but  make  public  ac 
knowledgment  here  that  in  all  my  public  and  political 
life?  covering  now  a  period  of  nearly  twenty-five  years, 
I  have  ever  enjoyed  the  support  and  encouragement  of 
these  good  people  who  have  assembled  about  me  this 
evening.  Nor  can  I  fail  to  congratulate  this  community, 


342  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

devoted  as  it  is  to  industry  and  manufacture,  upon  the 
improved  condition  of  the  country  in  the  last  two  years 
and  a  half.  Nothing  in  this  whole  journey  of  mine,  of 
more  than  five  thousand  miles  into  the  great  North 
west  and  through  the  Central  and  Western  States,  has 
given  me  more  genuine  pleasure  than  the  welcome  I 
have  had  from  Cleveland  to  Youngstown  by  the  work 
ing-men  employed  in  the  mills  and  factories  along  the 
line.  No  cheer  has  been  more  encouraging  or  more 
helpful  to  me  than  the  cheer  given  by  the  men  as 
they  came  out  of  the  mills  and  waved  their  shining 
dinner-buckets,  now  full  when  once  they  were  empty. 
[Applause.]  I  felicitate  with  you,  for  no  man  could  have 
had  a  deeper  interest  in  the  welfare  of  this  city  than 
myself.  I  rejoice  with  you  upon  the  wonderful  growth 
and  development  of  this  Mahoning  valley,  and  upon  the 
marvelous  advancement  of  your  city  in  population  and 
in  industry. 

I  Lave  met  with  you  many  times  in  the  years  gone  by, 
in  public  discussion  touching  questions  that  affected  the 
interest  and  well-being  of  this  community ;  I  have  been 
here  when  wild  passions  moved  the  community ;  but 
I  never  made  an  appeal  to  the  judgment  of  the  men 
of  this  city  and  county  that  was  made  in  vain.  [Ap 
plause.] 

We  have  now  before  us  some  grave  problems  in  gov 
ernment—problems  that  demand,  not  only  from  the 
President,  but  from  all  the  people,  steady  and  sober 
judgment  j  problems  not  to  be  settled  by  one  party  or 
another,  but  by  all  the  people;  problems  wider  than 
party  or  section ;  problems  that  are  national,  and  which 
this  people  must  settle,  and  settle  for  right  and  justice, 
following  the  plain  path  of  duty. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  343 

v~We  are  in  the  Philippines.     Our  flag  is  there ;  ou 
boys  in  blue  are  there.    They  are  not  there  for  conquest 
they  are  not  there  for  dominion.     They  are  there  be 
cause,  in  the  providence  of  God,  who  moves  mysteriously 
that  great  archipelago  has  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  th< 
American  people.    [Great  applause.]   When  Dewey  sanl 
the  ships  at  Manila,  as  he  was  ordered  to  do,  it  was  no 
to  capture  the  Philippines.     It  was  to  destroy  the  Span 
ish  fleet,  the  fleet  of  the  nation  against  which  we  wen 
waging  war ;  and  we  thought  that  the  soonest  way  to  end 
that  war  was  to  destroy  the  power  of  Spain  to  make  war 
and  so  we  sent  Dewey.     [Applause.]     And  the  islands  \ 
came  to  us.     It  was  no  responsibility  we  sought,  but  it  I 
was  a  responsibility  put  upon  us.  1  Will  the  American  ' 
people  shirk  it  ?     [Cries  of  "  No  !  "]     Have  the  American 
people  ever  been  known  to  run  away  from  a  high  moral 
duty?     [Repeated  cries  of  "No!'']      Our  flag  is  there, 
not  as  the  symbol  of  oppression,  not  as  the  token  of  ty 
ranny,  not  as  the  emblem  of  enslavement,  but  represent 
ing  there,  as  it  does  here,  liberty,  humanity,  and  civiliza 
tion.     [Great  applause.] 

There  was  no  cloud  in  Dewey's  victory,  and  there  will 
be  no  doubt  or  hesitation  in  preserving  it.  But,  my  fel 
low-citizens,  I  have  talked  longer  than  I  intended  to. 
[Cries  of  "Go  on  !  "]  I  only  appeared  to  make  my  ac 
knowledgment  for  this  welcome  from  old  constituents 
and  old  neighbors.  I  owe  you  much.  I  owe  you  more 
than  I  can  ever  return  to  you  for  your  unfaltering  sup 
port  and  the  early  encouragement  you  gave  me  as  a 
struggling  young  man  in  this  county.  [Enthusiastic 
and  long-continued  applause.] 


344  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CCVII. 

SPEECH  AT  PUBLIC  RECEPTION  nsr  YOUNGSTOWN, 
OHIO,  OCTOBER  18,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

My  understanding  was  that  the  evening  was  not  to 
be  given  over  to  speech-making,  but  that  I  was  to  have 
the  privilege  of  shaking  hands,  so  far  as  I  was  able,  with 
my  fellow-citizens  who  might  assemble  here.  The  very 
great  number,  however,  who  have  honored  me  here  would 
seem  to  make  it  impossible  to  proceed  with  a  reception 
and  to  meet  all  of  you,  and  so,  in  answer  to  your  call,  I 
appear  only  that  I  may  say  that  I  appreciate,  more  than 
I  am  able  to  express,  the  very  heartfelt  greeting  that  the 
people  of  Youngstown  have  accorded  me  on  the  occa 
sion  of  this  visit. 

I  have  traveled  a  long  distance  throughout  the  coun 
try,  meeting  the  people  at  every  station  through  eight 
or  ten  States  in  great  assemblages  like  the  one  that  is 
before  me  to-night ;  and  everywhere  I  have  gone  there 
has  been  the  same  manifestation  of  kindly  feeling  one 
toward  another,  of  general  good  will,  and  of  lofty 
patriotism. 

The  country  everywhere  is  prosperous.  The  idle 
mills  of  three  years  ago  have  been  opened,  the  fires 
have  been  rebuilt,  and  heart  and  hope  have  entered 
the  homes  of  the  people.  For  that  I  feel  like  ex 
tending  to  all  of  you  sincere  and  hearty  congratu 
lations.  The  government  of  the  United  States,  your 
government,  the  great  machinery  of  administration,  is 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  345 

going  on  well.  We  are  collecting,  every  working-day  of 
every  month,  sixteen  hundred  thousand  dollars,  which 
sum  goes  into  the  public  Treasury  to  pay  the  current 
expenses  of  the  government  and  the  extraordinary  ex 
penses  occasioned  by  the  war.  One  million  of  that  six 
teen  hundred  thousand  comes  from  internal  revenue, 
largely  upon  spirits  and  tobacco,  and  the  other  six  hun 
dred  thousand  comes  from  a  tariff,  which  you  know  all 
about  here,  put  upon  foreign  products  that  come  into  the 
United  States  for  consumption.  I  do  not  think  that 
any  of  you  feel  very  seriously  either  form  of  taxation. 
None  of  you  seem  to  be  suffering  because  of  that  large 
sum  daily  flowing  into  the  public  Treasury.  While  that 
sum  is  going  into  the  Treasury,  wages  are  going  into 
the  pockets  of  labor  and  profits  are  rewarding  capital. 

Xot  only  are  our  financial  affairs  in  good  condition,— 
for  we  have  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  million  dollars  in 
gold  now  in  the  Treasury  belonging  to  the  government,— 
but  we  are  at  peace  with  every  nation  of  the  world.  We 
are  on  friendly  relations  with  every  power  of  earth. 
Never  were  there  more  good  feeling  and  good  fellowship 
existing  between  the  United  States  and  other  nations  of 
the  world  than  to-day. 

We  are  having  some  trouble,  it  is  true,  in  the  Philip 
pines.  That  we  could  not  help.  The  Philippines  are 
ours.  The  men  whom  we  emancipated  from  slavery, 
the  men  to  whom  we  brought  liberty,  a  fraction  of  a 
single  tribe  in  a  single  island  of  the  great  archipelago, 
assailed  the  flag  and  the  soldiers  of  the  United  States 
carrying  it  on  that  island ;  and  nothing  is  left  for  us  to 
do  but  put  down  the  rebellion  [great  applause],  and 
that  we  propose  to  do  [renewed  applause].  I  hope 
it  will  not  last  long.  And,  as  I  said,  that  territory 


346  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

is  ours.  It  is  ours  just  as  fully  as  any  foot  of  terri 
tory  in  the  United  States.  There  is  no  flaw  in  our 
title.  Openly  made  was  the  treaty  of  peace,  openly 
ratified  by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  openly  and 
publicly  confirmed  by  the  House  of  Representatives; 
and  those  islands  stand  to-day  the  territory  of  the 
Union,  and  as  long  as  they  are  our  territory  the  sover 
eignty  of  the  United  States  must  be  supreme.  [Great 
applause.] 

Thanking  you,  my  fellow-citizens,  for  your  attendance 
in  such  vast  numbers  here  to-night,  and  expressing  to 
you,  as  I  have  already  expressed  to  the  great  audience 
on  the  public  square,  my  deep  appreciation  of  the  greet 
ing  received,  I  will  close.  I  can  never  forget  our  old 
relations.  I  can  never  forget  your  support  of  me  in 
the  years  that  have  gone  by.  [Applause.]  When  I  was 
your  representative  in  Congress,  my  whole  aim,  my  whole 
purpose,  my  whole  time,  were  devoted  to  the  welfare  of 
my  constituents  and  the  prosperity  of  my  country.  [Ap 
plause.]  And  if  I  have  done  anything  in  the  course  of 
my  public  life  that  gives  me  satisfaction  to-night,  it  is 
that  possibly  in  some  small  way  I  have  helped  to  add 
one  additional  day's  labor  for  the  American  working- 
man.  [Applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  347 


CCVIII. 

RESPONSE  TO  THE  COMMITTEE  PRESENTING  A  PEACE 
PETITION  URGING  THE  FRIENDLY  SERVICES  OF  THE 
UNITED  STATES  IN  MEDIATION  BETWEEN  GREAT 
BRITAIN  AND  THE  BOERS,  EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  OC 
TOBER  26,  1899. 

Gentlemen  : 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  receive  you,  bearing,  as  you 
do,  the  expression  of  the  sentiment  of  peace  and  good 
will  throughout  the  world,  in  which  I  concur.  I  am 
glad  to  meet  you,  and  shall  give  due  consideration  to 
the  views  of  a  body  of  men  so  eminent  in  character  and 
ability,  voicing  the  sentiment  of  the  petition  which  you 
have  presented  to  me,  and  of  the  mass-meeting  held  in 
New  York,  October  11. 

We  all  regret  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  in  South 
Africa.  The  bloodshed  and  the  suffering  on  both  sides 
affect  us  profoundly,  and  the  protection  of  American 
interests  involved  demands  the  special  concern  of  the 
government.  The  situation  imposes  upon  us  the  neces 
sity  of  a  reserve  both  in  our  words  and  in  our  actions,^ 
lest  we  should  unwittingly  do  injustice  to  either  party 
in  the  controversy,  or  do  violence  .to  our  traditional 
policy  of  impartiality. 

I  thank  you  for  this  visit,  and  beg  to  say  that  what 
you  set  forth  shall  have  my  earnest  and  serious  con 
sideration. 


348  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 


CCIX. 

REMARKS  AT  FREDERICKSBURG,  VIRGINIA, 
OCTOBER  31,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  to  meet  my  fellow- 
citizens  of  Fredericksburg,  and  your  welcome  is  all  the 
more  appreciated  because  upon  such  an  inclement  morn 
ing  so  many  of  the  people  have  assembled  here.  I  am 
sure  you  will  not  expect  me  to  do  more  than  to  make 
this  simple  acknowledgment  of  your  courtesy  and  kind 
ness.  [Applause.] 


OCX. 

REMARKS  AT  ASHLAND,  VIRGINIA,  OCTOBER  31,  1899. 

My  Fellow- Citizens : 

The  welcome  extended  to  me  by  the  governor  of  Vir 
ginia  on  behalf  of  all  of  its  people  has  very  greatly 
touched  me.  It  gives  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  come  into 
this  State. 

Over  one  of  the  chapels  of  the  city  of  London  is  the 
motto,  "Think  and  thank."  When  we  think  of  our 
national  blessings,  when  we  think  of  our  wonderful 
progress  and  prosperity,  when  we  think  of  the  glorious 
unification  of  all  the  people  of  our  forty-five  States  and 
of  our  Territories,  we  are  most  thankful  to  a  kind 
Providence  that  has  cast  our  lines  in  such  pleasant 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  349 

places  and  given  to  us  such  a  glorious  heritage.  If 
we  counted  our  mercies,  our  thanks  for  them  would  be 
countless.  [Great  cheering  and  applause.] 


CCXI. 

REMARKS  AT  RAILROAD  STATION,  RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA, 
OCTOBER  31,  1899. 

Mr  Mayor  and  my  Fellow- Citizens  : 

I  only  appear  for  a  moment  to  give  heartfelt  response 
to  the  hospitable  welcome  awarded  me  by  the  people 
of  the  city  of  Richmond  through  its  honored  chief 
executive.  Your  mayor  has  kindly  alluded  to  the  good 
feeling  which  everywhere  prevails,  and  I  can  only, 
in  replying,  say  that  if  in  the  slightest  degree  I  have 
contributed  to  the  unification  of  the  country,  it  is  the 
proudest  honor  of  my  life.  [Applause  and  cheers. J 

This  afternoon  I  am  to  speak  for  a  few  minutes,  and 
so,  only  thanking  you,  Mr.  Mayor  and  my  fellow-citizens, 
for  this  welcome,  I  bid  you  all  good  morning.  [Great 
and  continued  applause.] 


CCXII. 

SPEECH  AT  RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA,  OCTOBER  31,  1899. 

Mr.  Mayor,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  am  glad  to  meet  my  fellow-citizens  of  Richmond, 
and  to  join  with  them  in  this  interesting  celebration  in 
honor  of  the  launching  of  the  torpedo-boat  Shubrick, 


350  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

built  in  this  city,  of  American  material,  by  the  labor  of 
American  working-men,  for  the  use  of  the  American 
navy.  [Great  applause.]  I  congratulate  the  builders  and 
workmen  upon  the  evidence  of  their  skill  and  industry, 
so  creditable  to  the  manufacturing  company  and  so 
highly  commended  by  the  officers  of  the  government. 

This  is  not  the  first  contribution  which  Richmond  has 
made  to  our  splendid  navy.  She  equipped  the  war-ship 
Texas  with  all  her  machinery,  boilers,  and  engines,  which 
were  tried  and  tested  with  eminent  satisfaction  in  the 
brilliant  naval  engagement  in  the  harbor  of  Santiago 
[great  applause],  when  that  gallant  vessel  so  gloriously 
assisted  in  the  destruction  of  Cervera's  fleet,  winning  a 
memorable  victory  and  hastening  an  honorable  and 
enduring  peace. 

I  heartily  rejoice  with  the  people  of  this  great  city 
upon  its  industrial  revival  and  upon  the  notable  pros 
perity  it  is  feeling  in  all  of  its  business  enterprises.  You 
are  taking  advantage  of  the  commercial  opportunities  of 
the  hour.  You  are  advancing  in  manufactures,  extend 
ing  your  markets,  and  receiving  a  deserved  share  of  the 
world's  trade.  [Applause.] 

What  can  be  more  gratifying  to  us  than  present 
conditions  ?  A  universal  love  of  country  and  a  noble 
national  spirit  animate  all  the  people.  We  are  on  the 
best  of  terms  with  each  other,  and  on  most  cordial  re 
lations  with  every  power  on  earth.  We  have  ample 
revenues  with  which  to  conduct  the  government.  No 
deficit  menaces  our  credit.  Money  is  abundant  in 
volume  and  unquestioned  in  value.  Confidence  in  the 
present  and  faith  in  the  future  are  firm  and  strong,  and 
should  not  be  shaken  or  unsettled.  The  people  are 
doing  business  on  business  principles,  and  should  be  let 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  351 

alone— encouraged  rather  than  hindered  in  their  efforts 
to  increase  the  trade  of  the  country  and  find  new  and 
profitable  markets  for  their  products.  [Great  applause.] 

Manufacturing  was  never  so  active  and  so  universally 
enjoyed  throughout  all  the  States.  Work  was  never  so 
abundant.  The  transportation  companies  were  never  so 
taxed  to  handle  the  freight  offered  by  the  people  for 
distribution.  The  home  and  foreign  markets  contribute 
to  our  prosperity.  Happily  the  latter  have  increased 
without  any  diminution  of  the  former.  Your  locomo 
tives  go  to  Russia ;  the  watch-cases  from  my  little  city  of 
Canton  to  Geneva;  the  bridges  of  Philadelphia  span 
the  Nile,  and  the  products  of  the  American  farm  and 
factory  are  carried  upon  every  sea  and  find  welcome  in 
most  of  the  ports  of  the  world.  [Applause.] 

In  what  respect  would  we  change  these-  happy  condi 
tions  with  the  promises  they  give  of  the  future  ?  The 
business  activity  in  every  part  of  the  country ;  the  better 
rewards  to  labor ;  the  wider  markets  for  the  yield  of  the 
soil  and  the  shop  j  the  increase  of  our  ship-building,  not 
only  for  our  government,  but  for  purposes  of  commerce  ; 
the  enormous  increase  of  our  export  trade  in  manufac 
tures  and  agriculture ;  the  greater  comforts  of  the  home 
and  the  happiness  of  the  people ;  the  wonderful  uplifting 
of  the  business  conditions  of  Virginia  and  the  South  and 
of  the  whole  country,  mark  this  not  only  an  era  of  good 
will,  but  an  era  of  good  times.  [Applause.] 

It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  me  to  stand  in  this  historic 
capital  and  to  look  into  the  faces  of  my  countrymen  here 
assembled,  and  to  feel  and  know  that  we  are  all  Ameri 
cans,  standing  as  one  for  the  government  we  love  and 
mean  to  uphold,  united  for  the  honor  of  the  American 
name  and  for  the  faithful  fulfilment  of  every  obligation 


352  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

which  national  duty  requires.  [Great  applause.]  I  could 
not  forget  in  this  presence  to  make  my  acknowledgment 
to  the  men  of  Virginia  for  their  hearty  and  patriotic 
support  of  the  government  in  the  war  with  Spain,  and 
for  their  continued  and  unflinching  loyalty  in  the  sup 
pression  of  the  insurrection  in  Luzon  against  the  author 
ity  of  the  United  States.  They  came  in  swift  response 
to  the  call  of  country,— the  best  blood  of  the  State,  the 
sons  of  noble  sires,— asking  for  service  at  the  battle- 
front  where  the  fighting  was  the  hardest  and  the  danger 
the  greatest.  The  rolls  of  the  Virginia  volunteers  con 
tain  the  names  of  the  bravest  and  best,  some  of  them  the 
descendants  of  the  most  illustrious  Virginians.  They 
have  shed  their  blood  for  the  flag  of  their  faith,  and  are 
now  defending  it  with  their  lives  in  the  distant  islands 
of  the  sea.  [Great  applause.]  All  honor  to  the  American 
army  and  navy !  [Continued  applause.]  All  honor  has 
been  shown  the  men  returning  from  the  field  of  hostili 
ties,  and  all  honor  attends  those  who  have  gone  to  take 
their  places. 

My  fellow-citizens,  two  great  historical  events,  sepa 
rated  by  a  period  of  eighty-four  years,  affecting  the  life 
of  the  republic,  and  of  awful  import  to  mankind,  took 
place  on  the  soil  of  Virginia.  Both  were  participated  in 
by  Virginians,  and  both  marked  mighty  epochs  in  the 
history  of  the  nation.  The  one  was  at  Yorktown  in 
1781,  when  Cornwallis  surrendered  to  Washington, 
which  was  the  beginning  of  the  end  of  the  war  with 
Great  Britain  and  the  dawning  of  independence  and 
union.  The  great  Virginian,  sage  and  patriot,  illustrious 
commander  and  wise  statesman,  installed  the  republic  in 
the  family  of  nations.  It  has  withstood  every  shock  in 
war  or  peace  from  without  or  within,  experiencing  its 


OF   WILLIAM   McKINLEY.  353 

gravest  crisis  in  the  Civil  War.  The  other,  at  Appo- 
mattox,  was  the  conclusion  of  that  crisis  and  the  be 
ginning  of  a  unification  now  happily  full  and  complete, 
resting  in  the  good  will  and  fraternal  affection  one 
toward  another  of  all  the  people.  [Great  applause.] 
Washington's  terms  of  peace  with  Cornwallis  secured 
the  ultimate  union  of  the  colonies,  those  of  Grant  with 
Lee  the  perpetual  union  of  the  States.  Both  events 
were  mighty  gains  for  the  human  family,  and  a 
proud  record  for  a  nation  of  freemen.  Both  were 
triumphs  in  which  we  all  have  a  share,  both  are  a 
common  heritage.  The  one  made  the  nation  possible, 
the  other  made  the  nation  imperishable.  Now  no 
jarring  note  mars  the  harmony  of  the  Union.  The 
seed  of  discord  has  no  sower  and  no  soil  upon  which  to 
live.  The  purveyor  of  hate,  if  there  be  one  left,  is  with 
out  a  follower.  The  voice  which  would  kindle  the  flame 
of  passion  and  prejudice  is  rarely  heard  and  no  longer 
heeded  in  any  part  of  our  beloved  country.  [Prolonged 
applause.] 

Lord  of  the  Universe, 
Shield  us  and  guide  us, 
Trusting  thee  ahvays 
Through  shadow  and  sun. 
Thou  hast  united  us, 
Who  shall  divide  us? 
Keep  us,  oh,  keep  us 
The  "Many  in  One." 

Associated  with  this  great  commonwealth  are  many 
of  the  most  sacred  ties  of  our  national  life.  From  here 
came  forth  many  of  our  greatest  statesmen  and  heroes 
who  gave  vigor  and  virtue  and  glory  to  the  republic. 
For  thirty-seven  of  the  sixty-one  years  from  1789  to 
1850,  sons  of  Virginia  occupied  the  presidential  office 


354  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

with  rare  fidelity  and  distinction— a  period  covering  more 
than  one  fourth  of  our  national  existence.  What  State, 
what  nation  can  have  a  greater  heritage  than  such 
names  as  Washington,  Jefferson,  Madison,  Monroe,  and 
Marshall?  Their  deeds  inspire  the  old  and  the  young. 
They  are  written  in  our  histories.  They  are  a  part  of 
the  education  of  every  child  of  the  land.  They  enrich 
the  school-books  of  the  country.  They  are  cherished  in 
every  American  home,  and  will  be  so  long  as  liberty 
lasts  and  the  Union  endures.  [Applause.] 

My  countrymen,  the  sacred  principles  proclaimed  in 
Philadelphia  in  1776,  advanced  to  glorious  triumph  at 
Yorktown,  made  effective  in  the  formation  of  the  Federal 
Union  in  1787,  sustained  by  the  heroism  of  all  our  people 
in  every  foreign  conflict,  sealed  in  solemn  covenant  at 
Appomattox  Court-House,  sanctified  by  the  blood  of  the 
men  of  the  South  and  of  the  North  at  Manila  and  Santiago 
and  in  Porto  Rico,  have  lost  none  of  their  force  and 
virtue ;  and  the  people  of  the  United  States  will  meet 
their  new  duties  and  responsibilities  with  unfailing  de 
votion  to  those  principles,  and  with  unfaltering  purpose 
to  uphold  and  advance  them.  [Enthusiastic  applause.] 

Standing  near  the  close  of  the  century,  we  can  look 
backward  with  congratulation  and  pride,  and  forward 
into  the  new  century  with  confidence  and  courage.  The 
memories  of  the  past  impel  us  to  nobler  effort  and  higher 
endeavor.  It  is  for  us  to  guard  the  sacred  trust  trans 
mitted  by  the  fathers  and  pass  on  to  those  who  follow 
this  government  of  the  free,  stronger  in  its  principles 
and  greater  in  its  power  for  the  execution  of  its  benefi 
cent  mission.  [Long-continued  applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKIXLEY.  355 


CCXIH. 

ADDRESS  AT  THE  WASHINGTON   MEMORIAL   SERVICES, 
MOUNT  VERNON,  DECEMBER  14,  1899. 

My  Fellow-Citizens  : 

We  have  just  participated  in  a  service  commemora 
tive  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  death  of 
George  Washington.  Here  at  his  old  home,  which  he 
loved  so  well,  and  which  the  patriotic  women  of  the 
country  have  guarded  with  loving  hands,  exercises  are 
conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the  great  fraternity  of 
Masons,  which  a  century  ago  planned  and  executed  the 
solemn  ceremonial  which  attended  the  Father  of  his 
Country  to  his  tomb.  The  lodge  in  which  he  was  initi 
ated  and  the  one  over  which  he  afterward  presided  as 
Worshipful  Master,  accorded  positions  of  honor  at  his 
obsequies,  are  to-day  represented  here  in  token  of  pro 
found  respect  to  the  memory  of  their  most  illustrious 
member  and  beloved  brother. 

Masons  throughout  the  United  States  testify  anew 
their  reverence  for  the  name  of  Washington  and  the 
inspiring  example  of  his  life.  Distinguished  representa 
tives  are  here  from  all  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  country 
to  render  the  ceremonies  as  dignified  and  impressive  as 
possible,  and  most  cordial  greetings  have  come  from 
across  our  borders  and  from  beyond  the  sea. 

Not  alone  in  this  country,  but  throughout  the  world, 
have  Masons  taken  especial  interest  in  the  observance  of 
this  centennial  anniversary.  The  fraternity  justly  claims 
the  immortal  patriot  as  one  of  its  members  j  the  whole 


356  SPEECHES   AND  ADDRESSES 

human  family  acknowledges  him  as  one  of  its  greatest 
benefactors.  Public  bodies,  patriotic  societies,  and  other 
organizations,  our  citizens  everywhere,  have  esteemed  it 
a  privilege  to-day  to  pay  their  tribute  to  his  memory 
and  to  the  splendor  of  his  achievements  in  the  advance 
ment  of  justice  and  liberty  among  men.  "  His  fair  fame, 
secure  in  its  immortality,  shall  shine  thro'  countless  ages 
with  undiminished  luster." 

The  struggling  republic  for  which  Washington  was 
willing  to  give  his  life,  and  for  which  he  ever  freely 
spent  his  fortune,  and  which  at  all  times  was  the  object 
of  his  most  earnest  solicitude,  has  steadily  and  wonder 
fully  developed  along  the  lines  which  his  sagacity  and 
foresight  carefully  planned.  It  has  stood  every  trial, 
and  at  the  dawn  of  a  new  century  is  stronger  than  ever 
to  carry  forward  its  mission  of  liberty.  During  all  the 
intervening  years  it  has  been  true,  forever  true,  to  the 
precepts  of  the  Constitution  which  he  and  his  illustrious 
colleagues  framed  for  its  guidance  and  government. 

He  was  the  national  architect,  says  Bancroft  the 
historian,  and  but  for  him  the  nation  could  not  have 
achieved  its  independence,  could  not  have  formed  its 
Union,  could  not  have  put  the  federal  government  into 
operation.  He  had  neither  precedent  nor  predecessor. 
His  work  was  original  and  constructive  and  has  success 
fully  stood  the  severest  tests. 

He  selected  the  site  for  the  capital  of  the  republic  he 
founded,  and  gave  it  the  name  of  the  Federal  City,  but 
the  commission  substituted  the  name  of  Washington  as 
the  more  fitting,  and  to  be  a  perpetual  recognition  of  the 
services  of  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  Continental 
Army,  the  president  of  the  convention  which  framed  the 
Constitution,  and  the  first  President  of  the  republic. 
More  than  seventy-five  millions  of  people  acknowledge 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  357 

allegiance  to  the  flag  which  he  made  triumphant.     The 
nation  is  his  best  eulogist  and  his  noblest  monument. 

I  have  been  deeply  interested  and  touched  by  the 
sentiments  of  his  contemporaries,  uttered  a  hundred 
years  ago  on  the  occasion  of  his  death.  The  Rev.  Wal 
ter  King,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  in  the  course  of  an 
eloquent  eulogy  delivered  in  that  city  on  January  5, 
1800,  said  in  part : 

By  one  mighty  effort  of  manly  resolution  we  were  born  anew, 
and  declared  our  independence.  Now  commenced  the  bloody 
contest  of  everything  we  held  dear.  The  same  Almighty  Being 
by  whose  guidance  we  were  hitherto  conducted  beheld  us  in  com 
passion  and  saw  what  we  needed— a  pilot,  a  leader  in  the  peril 
ous  enterprise  we  had  undertaken.  He  called  for  Washington, 
already  prepared,  anointed  him  as  his  servant  with  regal  dig 
nity,  and  put  into  his  hands  the  control  of  all  our  defensive 
operations. 

But  here  admiration  suppresses  utterance.  Your  own  minds 
must  fill  out  the  active  character  of  the  man.  A  description  of 
the  warlike  skill,  the  profound  wisdom,  the  prudence,  the  heroism 
and  integrity  which  he  displayed  in  the  character  of  commaiider- 
in-chief  would  suffer  materially  in  hands  like  mine.  But  this  I 
may  say :  the  eyes  of  all  our  American  Israel  were  placed  upon 
him  as  their  savior,  under  the  direction  of  Heaven,  and  they  were 
not  disappointed. 

The  Rev.  Nathan  Strong,  pastor  of  the  North  Presby 
terian  Church  in  Hartford,  spoke  as  follows  on  Decem 
ber  27,  1799 : 

He  was  as  much  the  angel  of  peace  as  of  war,  as  much  respected, 
as  deeply  reverenced  in  the  political  cabinet  for  a  luminous  cool 
ness  of  disposition,  whereby  party  jealousy  became  enlightened 
and  ashamed  of  itself,  as  he  was  for  a  coolness  of  command  in 
the  dreadful  moment  when  empires  hung  suspended  on  the  fate  of 
battle.  His  opinions  became  the  opinions  of  the  public  body,  and 
every  man  was  pleased  with  himself  when  he  found  he  thought 
like  Washington. 


358  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

Under  the  auspices  of  this  great  warrior,  who  was  formed  by 
the  providence  of  God  to  defend  his  country,  the  war  was  ended 
and  America  ranked  among  the  nations.  He  who  might  have 
been  a  monarch  returned  to  his  own  Vernon,  unclothed  of  all  au 
thority,  to  enjoy  the  bliss  of  being  a  free  private  citizen.  This 
was  a  strange  sight,  and  gave  a  new',  triumph  to  human  virtue — 
a  triumph  that  hath  never  been  exceeded  in  the  history  of  the 
world,  except  it  was  by  his  second  recess,  which  was  from  the 
Presidency  of  the  United  States. 

And  on  the  day  preceding,  December  26,  1799,  in  the 
course  of  his  memorable  funeral  oration  before  both 
houses  of  Congress,  Major-General  Lee,  then  a  repre 
sentative  from  the  State  of  Virginia,  gave  utterance  to 
the  noble  sentiment,  as  forceful  to-day  as  in  those  early 
days  of  our  national  life : 

To  the  horrid  din  of  battle  sweet  peace  succeeded,  and  our  vir 
tuous  chief,  mindful  only  of  the  common  good,  in  a  moment  tempt 
ing  personal  aggrandizement,  hushed  the  discontent  of  growing 
sedition,  and,  surrendering  his  power  into  the  hands  from  which 
he  had  received  it,  converted  his  sword  into  a  plowshare,  teaching 
an  admiring  world  that  to  be  truly  great  you  must  be  truly  good. 

While  strong  with  his  own  generation,  he  is  even 
stronger  in  the  judgment  of  the  generations  which  have 
followed.  After  a  lapse  of  a  century  he  is  better  appreci 
ated,  more  perfectly  understood,  more  thoroughly  ven 
erated  and  loved  than  when  he  lived.  He  remains  an 
ever-increasing  influence  for  good  in  every  part  and 
sphere  of  action  of  the  republic.  He  is  recognized  as 
not  only  the  most  far-sighted  statesman  of  his  genera 
tion,  but  as  having  had  almost  prophetic  vision.  He 
built  not  alone  for  his  own  time,  but  for  the  great  future, 
and  pointed  the  rightful  solution  of  many  of  the  problems 
which  were  to  arise  in  the  years  to  come. 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  359 

John  Adams,  the  immediate  successor  of  Washington, 
said  of  him  in  an  address  to  the  Senate  on  the  23d  of 
December,  1799 : 

For  himself,  he  had  lived  enough  to  life  and  to  glory.  For 
his  fellow-citizens,  if  their  prayers  could  have  been  answered,  he 
would  have  been  immortal.  .  .  .  His  example  is  now  complete, 
and  it  will  teach  wisdom  and  virtue  to  magistrates,  citizens,  and 
men,  not  only  in  the  present  age,  but  in  future  generations,  as 
long  as  our  history  shall  be  read. 

The  nation  needs  at  this  moment  the  help  of  his  wise 
example.  In  dealing  with  our  vast  responsibilities  we 
turn  to  him.  We  invoke  the  counsel  of  his  life  and 
character  and  courage.  We  summon  his  precepts  that 
we  may  keep  ',his  pledges  to  maintain  justice  and  law, 
education  and  morality,  and  civil  and  religious  liberty 
in  every  part  of  our  country,  the  new  as  well  as  the  old. 


CCXIV. 

REPLY  TO  SPEECH  OF  DELEGATES  FROM  NATIONAL  BOARD 
OF  TRADE,  EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  JANUARY  24,  1900. 

Upon  the  occasion  of  the  call  of  the  members  of  the 
National  Board  of  Trade  upon  President  McKinley, 
January  24,  1900,  ex-Governor  Stanard,  speaking  in 
behalf  of  the  board,  delivered  quite  an  extended  address 
to  the  President,  in  which  he  outlined  the  desires  and 
purposes  of  the  board,  concluding  in  these  words : 

"We  congratulate  you,  Mr.  President,  upon  the  pros 
perity  of  the  country  and  the  success  of  your  adminis 
tration." 


360  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

In  replying  the  President  said : 

I  cannot  conceal  the  pleasure  and  honor  I  feel  in  this 
call  on  the  part  of  the  National  Board  of  Trade,  rep 
resenting  as  it  does  the  large  and  varied  and  important 
interests  of  our  country.  I  rejoice  with  you  upon  our 
prosperity,  and  I  trust  that  it  may  be  long  continued  to 
the  American  people.  Its  continuance  will  very  much  de 
pend  upon  the  wisdom  and  conservatism  of  the  business 
men  of  the  United  States.  Can  we  not  rely  upon  them 
to  help  us  solve  the  great  and  momentous  problems  to 
which  your  chairman  has  referred,  for  the  highest  in 
terest  of  the  American  people,  and  for  the  greatest 
good  of  those  who  have  come  within  our  jurisdiction 
and  care  ? 

CCXV. 

SPEECH  AT  BANQUET  OP  THE   LOYAL  LEGION,  WASH 
INGTON,  FEBRUARY  22,  1900. 

Comrades  and  Friends : 

I  had  no  thought,  in  meeting  with  you  to-night,  to 
interrupt  the  interesting  program  already  arranged  for 
the  evening's  entertainment,  and  I  rise  now  only  to 
express  to  you  my  hearty  appreciation  of  the  welcome 
which  you  have  given  me,  and  the  pleasure  it  affords 
me  to  meet  once  more  with  the  veterans  of  '61.  I 
recall  that  it  was  this  commandery,  the  commandery  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  that  installed  me  years  ago  a 
companion  in  your  organization.  I  have  come  to-night 
to  pay  my  respects  to  my  comrades  of  the  Civil  War, 
and  to  my  companions  in  times  of  peace.  The  Union 
for  which  you  fought  has  been  saved  by  the  valor,  hero- 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  3G1 

ism,  aud  sacrifice  of  yourselves  and  your  comrades. 
We  are  together  now,  and  the  national  sentiment  is 
stronger,  firmer,  and  higher  than  it  ever  was  before. 
[Applause.] 

There  has  been  within  the  past  two  years  a  reunion 
of  all  the  people  around  the  holy  altar  of  country,  newly 
sanctified  by  common  sacrifice.  The  followers  of  Grant 
and  of  Lee  have  fought  under  the  same  colors  and  have 
fallen  for  the  same  cause,  and  let  us,  comrades  of  the 
Loyal  Legion,  on  this  the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of 
the  Father  of  his  Country,  resolve,  in  the  language  of 
Lincoln,  to  dedicate  ourselves  anew  to  the  imperishable 
cause  which  he  advanced  so  far  upon  its  way ;  and  as 
Lincoln  said  at  Gettysburg,  let  us  firmly  resolve  that  those 
who  gave  their  lives  shall  not  have  died  in  vain  j  that  the 
nation  for  which  they  shed  their  blood  shall  not  perish 
from  the  earth.  [Great  applause.] 


CCXVI. 

SPEECH  AT  BANQUET  OF  THE  OHIO  SOCIETY  OF  NEW 
YORK,  NEW  YORK,  MARCH  3,  1900. 

Mr.  Toastmaster  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  appreciate  your  welcome,  and  thank  you  for  this 
renewed  expression  of  your  friendship  and  good  will. 
It  is  proper  that  I  should  say  that  the  Managing  Board 
of  the  Ohio  Society  has  kept  the  promise  made  to  me 
some  months  ago,  that  I  would  not  be  expected  or 
required  to  speak  at  this  banquet  j  and  because  of  that 
promise  I  have  made  some  preparation.  [Laughter 
and  applause.]  I  shall  not  be  guilty  of  reflecting  011 


362  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES 

their  good  faith,  or  breaking  my  own  resolution  not  to 
speak,  if  I  indulge  in  some  observations  while  expressing 
in  the  briefest  manner  the  pleasure  which  I  have  in 
greeting  my  old  friends  of  the  Ohio  colony  in  New  York. 
[Applause.]  There  is  a  bond  of  close  fellowship  which 
unites  Ohio  people.  "Whithersoever  they  journey  or 
wherever  they  dwell,  they  cherish  the  tenderest  mem 
ories  of  their  mother  State,  and  she  in  turn  never  fails 
of  affectionate  interest  in  her  widely  scattered  children. 
The  statement  which  has  so  often  been  made  is  not 
far  from  the  truth,  "  Once  an  Ohioan  always  an  Ohioan." 
[Applause.]  It  has  been  some  years  since  I  was  your 
guest.  Much  has  happened  in  the  meantime.  We  have 
had  our  blessings  and  our  burdens,  and  still  have  both. 
[Laughter.]  We  will  soon  have  legislative  assurance  of 
the  continuance  of  the  gold  standard  [great  applause] 
with  which  we  measure  our  exchanges,  and  we  have  the 
open  door  in  the  far  East  through  which  to  market  our 
products.  [Continued  applause.]  We  are  neither  in 
alliance  nor  antagonism  nor  entanglement  with  any 
foreign  power  [great  and  long-continued  applause],  but 
on  terms  of  amity  and  cordiality  with  all.  [Applause.] 
We  buy  from  all  of  them  and  sell  to  all  of  them,  and 
in  the  last  two  years  our  sales  have  exceeded  our  pur 
chases  by  over  one  billion  dollars.  [Applause.]  Mar 
kets  have  been  increased  and  mortgages  have  been 
reduced.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  Interest  has  fallen 
and  the  wages  of  labor  have  advanced.  [Applause.] 
Our  public  debt  is  diminishing  and  our  surplus  in  the 
Treasury  holds  its  own.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say 
that  the  country  is  well-to-do.  Its  people  for  the  most 
part  are  happy  and  contented.  They  have  good  times 
at  home  and  are  on  good  terms  with  the  nations  of  the 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  363 

world.  There  are,  unfortunately,  those  among  us,  few 
in  number,  I  am  sure,  and  none  in  the  Ohio  Society 
[laughter],  who  seem  to  thrive  best  under  bad  times 
[laughter],  and  who,  when  good  times  overtake  them  in 
the  United  States,  feel  constrained  to  put  us  on  bad 
terms  with  the  rest  of  mankind.  [Laughter.]  With 
them  I  have  no  sympathy.  I  would  rather  give  expres 
sion  in  this  presence  to  what  I  believe  to  be  the  nobler 
and  almost  universal  sentiment  of  my  countrymen,  in 
the  wish  not  only  for  peace  and  prosperity  here,  but  for 
peace  and  prosperity  to  all  the  nations  and  peoples  of 
the  earth.  [Great  applause.]  After  thirty-three  years 
of  unbroken  peace  came  an  unavoidable  war.  Happily 
the  conclusion  was  quickly  reached,  without  a  suspicion 
of  unworthy  motive  or  practice  or  purpose  on  our  part, 
and  with  fadeless  honor  to  our  arms.  [Applause.]  I 
cannot  forget  the  quick  response  of  the  people  to  the 
country's  need,  and  the  quarter  of  a  million  men  who 
freely  offered  their  lives  to  their  country's  service.  It 
was  an  impressive  spectacle  of  national  strength.  It 
demonstrated  our  mighty  reserve  power,  and  taught  us 
that  large  standing  armies  are  unnecessary  when  every 
citizen  is  a  "minute  man/7  ready  to  join  the  ranks  in 
his  country's  defense.  [Great  applause.] 

Out  of  these  recent  events  have  come  to  the  United 
States  grave  trials  and  responsibilities.  As  it  was  the 
nation's  war,  so  are  its  results  the  nation's  problem. 
[Applause.]  Its  solution  rests  upon  us  all.  It  is  too 
serious  to  stifle.  It  is  too  earnest  for  repose.  No 
phrase  or  catchword  can  conceal  the  sacred  obligation 
it  involves.  No  use  of  epithets,  no  aspersion  of  motives 
by  those  who  differ  will  contribute  to  that  sober  judg 
ment  so  essential  to  right  conclusions.  [Applause.] 


364  SPEECHES  AND  ADDEESSES 

No  political  outcry  can  abrogate  our  treaty  of  peace 
with  Spain,  or  absolve  us  from  its  solemn  engagements. 
[Long-continued  applause.]  It  is  the  people's  ques 
tion,  and  will  be  until  its  determination  is  written  out 
in  their  conscientious  and  enlightened  judgment.  We 
must  choose  between  manly  doing  and  base  desertion. 
[Great  applause.]  It  will  never  be  the  latter.  [Con 
tinued  applause.]  It  must  be  soberly  settled  in  justice 
and  good  conscience,  and  it  will  be.  Righteousness, 
which  exalteth  a  nation,  must  control  in  its  solution. 
No  great  emergency  has  arisen  in  this  nation's  history 
and  progress  which  has  not  been  met  by  the  sovereign 
people  with  high  capacity,  with  ample  strength,  and 
with  unflinching  fidelity  to  every  public  and  honorable 
obligation.  Partisanship  can  hold  few  of  us  against 
solemn  public  duty.  We  have  seen  this  so  often 
demonstrated  in  the  past  as  to  mark  unerringly  what 
it  will  be  in  the  future.  The  national  sentiment  and 
the  national  conscience  were  never  stronger  or  higher 
than  now.  [Applause.]  Within  two  years  there  has 
been  a  reunion  of  the  people  around  the  holy  altar  con 
secrated  to  country  and  newly  sanctified  bycommon  sacri 
fices.  [Great  applause.]  The  followers  of  Grant  and 
Lee  have  fought  under  the  same  flag  and  fallen  for  the 
same  faith.  [Continued  great  applause.]  Party  lines 
have  loosened  and  the  ties  of  union  have  been  strength 
ened.  [Applause.]  Sectionalism  has  disappeared  and 
fraternity  and  union  have  been  rooted  in  the  hearts  of 
the  American  people.  Political  passion  has  altogether 
subsided,  and  patriotism  glows  with  inextinguishable 
fervor  in  every  home  of  the  land.  [Applause.]  The 
flag— our  flag— has  been  sustained  on  distant  seas  and 
islands  by  the  men  of  all  parties  and  sections  and  creeds 


OF  WILLIAM  MoKINLEY.  365 

and  races  and  nationalities,  and  its  stars  are  only  those 
of  radiant  hope  to  the  remote  peoples  over  whom  it 
floats.  [Great  applause.] 

There  can  be  no  imperialism.  Those  who  fear  it  are 
against  it.  Those  who  have  faith  in  the  republic  are 
against  it.  [Applause.]  So  that  there  is  universal  ab 
horrence  for  it  and  unanimous  opposition  to  it.  [En 
thusiastic  applause.]  Our  only  difference  is  that  those 
who  do  not  agree  with  us  have  no  confidence  in  the 
virtue  or  capacity  or  high  purpose  or  good  faith  of  this 
free  people  as  a  civilizing  agency,  while  we  believe  that 
the  century  of  free  government  which  the  American 
people  have  enjoyed  has  not  rendered  them  irresolute 
and  faithless,  but  has  fitted  them  for  the  great  task  of 
lifting  up  and  assisting  to  better  conditions  and  larger 
liberty  those  distant  peoples  who,  through  the  issue  of 
battle,  have  become  our  wards.  [Great  applause.]  Let 
us  fear  not !  There  is  no  occasion  for  faint  hearts,  no 
excuse  for  regrets.  Nations  do  not  grow  in  strength, 
and  the  cause  of  liberty  and  law  is  not  advanced,  by  the 
doing  of  easy  things.  [Applause.]  The  harder  the  task 
the  greater  will  be  the  result,  the  benefit,  and  the  honor. 
To  doubt  our  power  to  accomplish  it  is  to  lose  faith  in 
the  soundness  and  strength  of  our  popular  institutions. 
[Applause.] 

The  liberators  will  never  become  the  oppressors.  A 
self-governed  people  will  never  permit  despotism  in  any 
government  which  they  foster  and  defend.  [Great  ap 
plause.] 

Gentlemen,  we  have  the  new  care  and  cannot  shift  it. 
And,  breaking  up  the  camp  of  ease  and  isolation,  let  us 
bravely  and  hopefully  and  soberly  continue  the  march 
of  faithful  service,  and  falter  not  until  the  work  is  done. 


368  SPEECHES  AND  ADDKESSES 

aspirations  for  better  conditions.  Education  is  one  of 
the  indispensable  steps  of  mission  enterprise,  and  in  some 
form  must  precede  all  successful  work. 

The  labors  of  missionaries,  always  difficult  and  trying, 
are  no  longer  so  perilous  as  in  former  times.  In  some 
quarters  indifference  and  opposition  have  given  place  to 
aid  and  cooperation.  A  hundred  years  ago  many  of  the 
fields  were  closed  to  missionary  effort.  Now  almost 
everywhere  is  the  open  door,  and  only  the  map  of  the 
world  marks  the  extent  of  their  thought  and  action. 

Who  can  estimate  their  value  to  the  progress  of  the 
nations  ?  Their  contribution  to  the  onward  and  upward 
march  of  humanity  is  beyond  all  calculation.  They 
have  inculcated  industry  and  taught  the  various  trades. 
They  have  promoted  concord  and  amity  and  brought 
nations  closer  together.  They  have  made  men  better. 
They  have  increased  the  regard  for  home,  have  strength 
ened  the  sacred  ties  of  family,  have  made  the  community 
well-ordered,  and  their  work  has  been  a  potent  influence 
in  the  development  of  law  and  the  establishment  of 
government. 

May  this  great  meeting  rekindle  the  spirit  of  mis 
sionary  ardor  and  enthusiasm  to  "  go  teach  all  nations  " ; 
may  the  field  never  lack  "  a  succession  of  heralds  who 
shall  carry  on  the  task— the  continuous  proclamation  of 
His  gospel  to  the  end  of  time"!  [Long-continued 
applause.] 


OF  WILLIAM  McKINLEY.  369 


CCXVIII. 

SPEECH  AT  ANTIETAM  BATTLE-FIELD,  MARYLAND, 
MAY  30,  1900. 

Mr.  Chairman  and  my  Fellow- Citizens: 

I  appear  only  for  a  moment  that  I  may  make  acknow 
ledgment  of  your  courteous  greeting  and  express  in  a 
single  word  my  sympathy  with  the  patriotic  occasion 
for  which  we  have  assembled  to-day. 

In  this  presence  and  on  this  memorable  field  I  am 
glad  to  meet  the  followers  of  Lee  and  Jackson  and 
Longstreet  and  Johnston  with  the  followers  of  Grant  and 
McClellan  and  Sherman  and  Sheridan,  greeting  each 
other,  not  with  arms  in  their  hands  or  malice  in  their 
souls,  but  with  affection  and  respect  for  each  other  in 
their  hearts.  [Applause.]  Standing  here  to-day,  one 
reflection  only  has  crowded  my  mind — the  difference  be 
tween  this  scene  and  that  of  thirty-eight  years  ago. 
Then  the  men  who  wore  the  blue  and  the  men  who  wore 
the  gray  greeted  each  other  with  shot  and  shell,  and 
visited  death  upon  their  respective  ranks.  We  meet, 
after  these  intervening  years,  as  friends,  with  a  common 
sentiment,— that  of  loyalty  to  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  love  for  our  flag  and  our  free  institutions, 
—and  determined,  men  of  the  North  and  men  of  the 
South,  to  make  any  sacrifice  for  the  honor  and  per 
petuity  of  the  American  nation.  [Great  applause.] 

My  countrymen,  I  am  glad,  and  you  are  glad  also,  of 
that  famous  meeting  between  Grant  and  Lee  at  Appo- 
mattox  Court-House.  I  am  glad  we  were  kept  together 


370  SPEECHES  AND  ADDRESSES. 

—are  n't  you?  [cries  of  " Yes!"]— glad  that  the  Union 
was  saved  by  the  honorable  terms  made  between  Grant 
and  Lee  under  the  famous  apple-tree ;  and  there  is  one 
glorious  fact  that  must  be  gratifying  to  all  of  us— 
American  soldiers  never  surrendered  but  to  Americans ! 
[Enthusiastic  applause.] 

The  past  can  never  be  undone.  The  new  day  brings 
its  shining  sun  to  light  our  duty  now.  I  am  glad  to 
preside  over  a  nation  of  nearly  eighty  million  people, 
more  united  than  they  have  ever  been  since  the  forma 
tion  of  the  Federal  Union.  [Applause.]  I  account  it  a 
great  honor  to  participate  on  this  occasion  with  the  State 
of  Maryland  in  its  tribute  to  the  valor  and  heroism  and 
sacrifices  of  the  Confederate  and  Union  armies.  The 
valor  of  the  one  or  the  other,  the  valor  of  both,  is  the 
common  heritage  of  us  all.  The  achievements  of  that 
war,  every  one  of  them,  are  just  as  much  the  inheritance 
of  those  who  failed  as  those  who  prevailed ;  and  when 
we  went  to  war  two  years  ago  the  men  of  the  South  and 
the  men  of  the  North  vied  with  each  other  in  showing 
their  devotion  to  the  United  States.  [Applause.]  The 
followers  of  the  Confederate  generals  with  the  followers 
of  the  Federal  generals  fought  side  by  side  in  Cuba,  in 
Porto  Rico,  and  in  the  Philippines,  and  together  in  those 
far-off  islands  are  standing  to-day  fighting  and  dying 
for  the  flag  they  love,  the  flag  that  represents  more  than 
any  other  banner  in  the  world  the  best  hopes  and  aspira 
tions  of  mankind.  [Great  and  long-continued  applause.] 


INDEX 


INDEX. 


Aberdeen,  South  Dakota,  289,  294,  298. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  2S4. 
Aekley,  Iowa.  < 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  302. 
Adams,  John,  73,  195. 

Remarks  of,  on  death  of  Washington, 

359. 
Adams,  Massachusetts. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  1,  '97,  50. 

Speech  at,  June  24,  '99,  207. 

Speech  at,  June  26,  '99,  208. 
Administration,  The. 

Has  no  aim  but  a  public  aim  ;  no  pur 
pose  but  a  good  one,  232. 
Agricultural  Colleges. 

Wisdom  of  provision  for,  93. 
Agriculture. 

Has  languished  under  depression,  7. 

Amount  of  products  exported,  98. 
Aguinaldo,  29(3. 

Contention  of,  281. 
Aitkin,  Minnesota. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  274. 
Akron,  Ohio. 

Speech  at,  Sept.  4,  '97.  46. 
Alabama,  167,  170,  266,  21)7. 

Loyal  to  flag  and  devoted  to  American 

name  and  honor,  171. 
Alaska.  213,  330. 

Acquisition  of,  267. 

Acquisition  of,  fiercely  resisted,  267. 

Minority  report  on  bill  for  purchase 

of,  267. 

Alger,  Russell  A.,  44. 
Allison,  W.  B.,  86,  305. 
American  Medical    Association,   Phila 
delphia. 

Remarks  to,  22. 
American  Republics. 

Products  and  advancement  of,  25. 
Ames,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  92. 
Andrew,  John  A.,  196. 
Antietam  battle-field,  Maryland. 

Speech  at,  May  30,  1900,  369. 
25 


Appomattox  Court-House,  201,  202,  22.?, 

230,  253,  259,  2b2,  353,  354,  369. 

Greatest    Union    meeting   ever    held 

beneath  the  nag,  201. 
>  Arbitration. 

True  method  of  settling  differences,  12. 

Treaty  with  Great  Britain  should  be 

ratified,  13. 

(See  International  Peace  Conference.) 
Arcola,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  15,   '98,  124. 
Arizona,  260. 
Arkansas,  264. 
Army,  96,  97.  103,  116,  135,  139,  144,  145, 

148,  149,  152,  154, 155, 160, 161,  171,  179, 

200,  203,  214,  215,  224,  225,  220,  246,  293, 

2%,  gtt».  318,  324,  3;J6,  343,  352. 

In  Civil  War,  3S,  39,  43. 

Services  mentioned,  £4,  85. 

Promptness    of    muster    for    Spanish 

War,  9-J,  12f». 

Standing,  large,  not  required,  172,  270, 

363. 

Standing,    should    be    large   enough 

to  do  all  work  required  during  peace, 

Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

Speech  at  reunion,  Oct.  10,  '99,  247. 
Ashland,  Virginia. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  31,  '99,  348. 
Atlanta,  Georgia. 

Speech  before  legislature  in  joint  as 
sembly.  State  Capitol,  Dec.  14,  '98,  158. 

Speech  at  Auditorium,  Dec.  15,  '98, 159. 

First  to  celebrate  signing  of  treaty  of 

peace  with  Spain,  160. 

Speech  at  banquet,  Dec.  15,  98,  164. 
Atlanta,  Indiana. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  142. 
Augusta.  Geoixia. 

Speech  at,  Dec.  19,  '98,  181. 
Austria-Hungary,  78,  79. 


Baldwin,  George  E.,  220. 
Baldwin  Locomotive  Works,  200. 

373 


374 


INDEX. 


Bancroft,  George. 

His  view  of  work  of  George  Washing 
ton,  356. 

Bates,  John  C.,  180. 

Battle  Creek,  Michigan. 
Remarks  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  334. 

Belle  Plaine,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  £9. 
•  Bimetallism. 

International,  will  endeavor  to  se 
cure,  4. 

Black,  Samuel  L.,  151. 

Blaine,  James  G. 

First  convention  of  American  repub 
lics  due  to,  28. 

Blue,  The,  and  The  Gray. 
Reunion  of,  Evansville,  Ind.,  257. 

Boer  War. 

Response  to  committee  presenting  pe 
tition  for  mediation  of  the  United 
States  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
Boers.  Oct.  26,  '99,  347. 

Boone,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  94. 

Boston,  Massachusetts. 
Speech  at  Home  Market  Club  dinner, 
Feb.  16,  '99,  185. 

Speech  at  G.  A.  R.  encampment,  Feb. 
17,  '99, 193. 

Speech  to  the  General  Court,  Feb. 
17,  '99, 195. 

Speech  at  Commercial  Club  recep 
tion,  Feb.  17,  '99,  197. 

Brainerd,  Minnesota. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  275. 

Brumby,  Thomas  M.,  254. 

Bryant,  William  Cullen. 
Quotation  from,  176. 

Buffalo,  New  York,  223. 
Remarks  from  balcony  of  hotel,  Aug. 
24,  '97,  37. 

Speech  at  banquet  of  Ellicott  Club, 
Aug.  24,  '97,  38. 

Speech  at  G.  A.  R.  camp-fire,  Asbury 
Church,  Aug.  24,  '97,  40. 
Speech  at  G.  A.  R.  camp-fire,  Dela 
ware  Avenue  M.  E.  Church,  Aug.  24., 
'97,  41. 

Banker  Hill,  162. 

Bureau  of  American  Republics,  28. 

Bushnell,  Illinois. 
Remarks  at,  Oct.  6,  '99,  223. 

Byro)i,  Lord. 
Quotation  from,  153. 


Caldwell,  Harry  H.,  226. 

Caldwell,  James  K.,  324. 

California. 
Cession  of,  266. 

California  Artillery,  215. 
W3ambon,  Jules,  79. 
•Canada,  243,  253. 

Candler,  Allen  D.,  159. 


Cannon,  Joseph  G.,  130,  257,  258. 

Canton,  Illinois. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  6,  '99,  228. 

Canton,  Ohio,  229,  351. 
Speech  upon  departure,  March  1,  '97, 1. 
Remarks  at,  Sept.  4,  '97,  46. 
Speech  to  Commercial  Travelers'  As 
sociation  and  employees  of   Dueber 
Heights,  Nov.  1,  '97,  55. 
Remarks  at,  Aug.  30,  '99,  220. 
Speech  at,  Aug.  30,  '99,  221. 

Carnegie,  Andrew,  57. 

Carroll,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  96. 

Cavite,  1C3. 

Cedar  Falls,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  304. 

Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  86. 

Centennial  Exposition  of  1876,  26. 

Cervera,  Pascual,  350. 

Chariton,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  113. 
**Chicago,  Illinois. 

Speech  at  Auditorium,  Oct.  18,  '98, 131, 
Remarks   to   gathering    in    front    of 
Union  League  Club,  Oct.  19,  '98,  132. 
Speech  at  banquet,  Auditorium,  Oct. 
19,  '98,  133. 

Speech  at  First  Regiment  Armory  be 
fore  Allied  Organizations  of  Railroad 
Employees,  Oct.  20,  '98,  136. 
Remarks  to  Chicago  Committee  on 
International  Arbitration,  Oct.  20,  '98, 
138. 

Remarks  at  Marquette  Club  banquet, 
Oct.  7,  '99,  241. 

Remarks  at  children's  exercises,  Au 
ditorium,  Oct.  8,  '99,  242. 
Remarks  at  Quinn  Chapel,  Oct.  8,  '99, 
242. 

Speech  at  Citizens'  banquet,  Oct.  9, 
'99,  243. 

Speech  at  the  reunion  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee,  Oct.  10,  '99,  247. 
Speech  to  Bricklayers  and  Stone-Ma 
sons'  Union,  Oct.  10,  '99,  248. 
Speech  at  banquet  of  Commercial  Club, 
Oct.  10,  '99,  250. 

Chief  Justice,  The,  15.  < 

Choate,  Charles  F.,  197. 

Choate,  Rufus,  195. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Remarks  in  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
Oct.  29,  '97,  51. 
Remarks   at   dinner   of   Commercial 
Club,  Oct.  30,  '97,  52. 

Citizen. 

Vigilance  of,   is   safety  of   republic, 
336. 

Citizenship,  265. 

Highest  and  best  should  be  cultivated, 
42. 

Destiny  of  our  government  rests  upon 
it,  42. 


INDEX. 


375 


Of  United  States  equal  and  responsi 
ble,  53. 

Careless  and  indifferent,  great  enemy 

of  free  government,  53. 

Always  improved  by  education,  93. 

Educated,  is  hope  of  country,  93. 

Indifferent,  is  always  unfortunate,  95. 

Good,  necessary  to  material  advance 
ment,  183. 
Civilizatipn. 

No  achievements  worth  having  which 

dp  not  advance,  87. 
Civil  Service. 

Reforms  must  go  on,  10. 
k     Spirit  of  law  will  be  carried  out,  10. 
Civil  War,  11,  37,  38,  40,  41,  43,  48,  50,  66, 

89,  108,  116,  ISO,  155,  194,  224,  '230,  246, 

257,  276,  289,  294,  310,  324,  335,  353. 

Beneficial  results  of,  42. 

Debt,  76. 

Enlistment  of  students,  93. 

Reviewof  veterans  onboth  sides  of,132. 

Lincoln's  object  in,  not  to  free  slaves, 

but  to  save  the  Union,  134,  294. 

Every  soldier's  grave  made  during,  is 

tribute  toAmerican  valor,  159. 

Differences  of,  long  ago  settled  by  the 

arbitrament  of  arms,  l,r>9. 


Should  help  restore    merchant   ma 
rine,  11. 

Need  for  extraordinary  session  of,  13. 
Extraordinary  session  of,  will  be  con 
vened  March  15,  '97,  14. 
Provision  regarding  Washington's  in 
auguration,  72. 

Must  provide  legislation  to  meet  our 
responsibilities,  135. 

servant  of  the  people,  269. 
nnecticut,  184,  265. 

Connersville,  Indiana. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  147. 

Constitution,  The. 

Spirit  of,  has  been  steadily  enforced, 
101. 

Converse,  J.  H.,  200. 

Cooper,  Henry  A.,  313. 

Cornell  University,  225. 

Corning,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  110. 

Cornwallis,  surrender  of,  at  Yorktown, 
352. 

Cotton,  Charles  S.,  324. 

Council  Bluffs,  Iowa. 


Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  106. 
Cousins,  Robert  G.,  89. 
Crane,  W.  Murray,  185. 
Veterans   of,    194,   206,  226,  248,  259,  ^Credit. 
272,  J2S3,  285,  328,  360.  Of  government  must  be  preserved,  4. 

Best    secured  through  adequate    in- 
•come,  6. 

National,  better  than  ever  before,  85, 

91,  111,  120,  127,  129,  314. 

Has  ever  been  upheld,  245. 
Creston,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  111. 

Vuba,   79,    126,   131,    163,   Is6,   212,   242, 
295,  317,  319,  335,  370. 
A  disturbing  question  for  more  than 


Clay,  Henry,  181. 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  342. 

Remarks  ut  the  Hollenden,  Oct.   18, 

'99,  337. 
Cliff  Haven,  New  York. 

Speech  at  Catholic  Summer  School, 

Aug.  15,  '99,  209. 
Clinton,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  15,  '98,  128. 
Clinton,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  85. 
Clintons,  The,  73. 
College  Corner,  Indiana. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  148. 
Colorado,  2(14,  266. 
Columbia,  South  Carolina. 

Speech  at,  Dec.  19,  '98,  183. 
Columbus,  Ohio. 

Speech  at  State  fair,  Sept.  3,  "97,  44. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  'US,  151. 
Commerce,  362. 

International,  advance  of,  24. 

Good  will  precedes  good  trade,  25. 

Advantages  of  its  promotion,  54. 

Is  teacher  and  pacificator,  54. 
Commercial  Club,  Boston. 

Speech  at  reception,  Feb.  17,  '99, 197. 
Confederacy. 

Veterans  of,  181. 
Confederate  soldiers. 

North  should  share  with  South  in  care 

of  graves  of,  59. 
Congress,  136,  226,  346. 

Action  of,  needed  to  restore  prosper- 
"*  ity,  8. 


half  a  century,  115. 

Causes  of  trouble  to  the  United  States 

now  removed,  115. 
Cullom,  Shelby  M.,  126. 
Currency,  63. 

Should  continue  under  supervision  of 

government,  3. 

Abundant  and  unquestioned,  85. 
Cushing,  William  B.,  104. 


Dahle,  Herman  B.,  316. 

Dahlgren,  John  A.,  155. 

Danville,  Illinois. 

«%Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '99,  267. 

Debt. 

Of  nation    shall  not  be  scaled  down 
through  a  legal  technicality,  63. 

Decatur,  Illinois. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  15,  '98,  125. 

Decatur,  Stephen,  104. 

Declaration  of  Independence,  243,  354. 

De  Kalb,  Illinois. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,   84. 


376 


INDEX. 


Delaware,  265,  268. 

Delaware  Avenue  Church,  Buffalo,  41. 

Denison,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  97. 

Destiny,  134. 

Detroit  City,  Minnesota. 
Remarks  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  278. 

Dewey,  George,  107,  127,  139,  156,  174, 
187,  203,  212,  226,  287,  290,  295,  316,  333, 
339,  343.  •* 

Remarks  upon  occasion  of  presenta 
tion  of  sword  to,  225. 

Dewitt,  Iowa. 
Remarks  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  86. 

District  of  Columbia,  268,  330. 

Dodge,  Grenville  M.,  247. 

Dodgeville,  Wisconsin. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  314. 

Dolliver,  J.  P.,  97. 

"Don't  cheer,  the  poor  fellows  are  dy 
ing,"  89. 


Egan,  South  Dakota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  293. 
Eighth  Army-Corps,  262,  280,  284. 

Privilege  of  muster  out  when  treaty 

was  ratified  declined,  212. 

Commendation  of  service  of,  213. 
Eighth  Ohio  Regiment,  219. 

Speech  to,  221. 
El  Caney,  107, 116, 127, 153, 178,  198,  202, 

246. 
Elk  Point,  South  Dakota. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  300. 
Ellicott  Club,  Buffalo. 

Speech  at  banquet,  Aug.  24,  '97,  38. 
Emancipation    Proclamation,  201,  232, 

281,  294. 
^  Equality. 

Of  rights  must  prevail,  9. 

Of  American  citizens,  42. 
Evanston,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  331. 


"  Don't  fire,  the  flag  has  gone  down,"  89.     Evansville,  Indiana,  256. 

Douglas,  Stephen  A.,  130,  233-235,  238.  Speech  at  fair  grounds,  Oct.  11,  '99,  253. 

Opposed  to  Lincoln  in  politics  ;  united        Remarks  from  train,  Oct.  11,  '99,  255. 

with  him  for  the  Union,  130.  Everett,  Edward,  195. 

Viewfl  of,  on  expansion,  320.  Executive,  The,  136,  191. 

Dubuque,  Iowa.  ^Expansion,  163,  174,  181,  188,  220,  244, 

264,  287,  302,  318,  319,  336. 


Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  310. 
Duluth,  Minnesota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  "99,  272. 
Dupont,  Samuel  F.,  16,  155. 

Determines  destiny,  134. 

Difficulties  attending  performance  of, 

134. 

Performance  of,  always  honorable,  134. 

Alone  should  prescribe  the  boundary 

of  our  responsibilities  and  scope  of 

our  undertakings,  135. 

Desertion  of,  not  an  American  habit, 

196. 

Responsibilities  born  of,  can  never  be 

repudiated,  227. 

Unperformed  is  dishonor,  227. 

Is  best  policy,  325. 

Responsibility   born    of,    cannot    be 

evaded  with  honor,  325. 


Territorial,   not   alone   necessary  to 

national  advancement,  135. 

Views  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  320. 
i  Exports,  303,  316,  823. 

Greater  than  ever  before,  98,  124. 

Amount  of,  in  1898,  98. 

Greater  than  imports,  124. 

Three  fourths  of,  come  from  fields 

and  farms  of  the  United  States,  124. 
f    Have  made  American  balances  satis 
factory,  198. 

Manufactured,  greater  than  imports, 

240. 

Excess  of,  over  imports  in  1898  and 

1899,  240. 

Excess  of,  over  imports,  250,  251,  362. 
Expositions. 

Excellent  results  of,  101. 


East  Liverpool,  Ohio. 
Speech  at,  Aug.  28,  '99,  218. 
Speech  at,  Aug.  29,  '99,  219. 


Fairbanks,  Charles  W.,  144. 
Fargo,  North  Dakota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  279. 
Farragut,  David  G.,  16,  104,  224. 


OPGC^II    mVf    AUg.     ^.t7,       i7J7j     JUVt  0-lia.^U.U,    A-fO-TAVt.    \A  • ,     A\7,     -ivrxj 

Ecumenical  Conference,  New  York,  366.     Fifty-first  Iowa  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215, 


•  Education,  238,  245,  273,  275,  286, 
314,  331. 

Free,  spread  of,  should  be  encouraged, 
10. 

Extension  of,  since  Revolution,  73. 
Liberal,  value  of,  74. 
Self-denial  and  personal  struggle  ne 
cessary  to  acquirement  of,  74. 
Best  equipment,  249. 
An  indispensable  step  of  mission  en 
terprise,  368. 


304,  311. 
inance,  256. 

System  needs  revision,  2. 
Commission  to  revise  coinage,  bank 
ing,  and  currency  laws  suggested,  3. 
Money  should  be   put   on  enduring 
basis,  3. 

Our  system  should  be  strengthened 
and  freed  from  doubt,  55. 
More  definite  legislation  advised,  63.  • 
Intelligent  discussion  of,  beneficial,  64. 


INDEX.  377 

Plank  of  St.  Louis  platform  still  com-  Florida, 

mandin<,r,  65.  Cession  of,  266. 

Plank  of  St.  Louis  platform  stated,  65.  Foreign  missions,  366-368. 

American  name  yet  untarnished,  76«»Foreigu  policy. 

Conditions  never  better  than  now,  111.  Outlined,  11,  12. 

First  California  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215.  Foreign  relations  mentioned,  252,  313, 

First  Colorado  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215.  362. 

First  District  of  Columbia  Regiment,  Fourth  Ohio  Regiment,  IT.  S.  V. 

U.  S.  V.  Service  of,  in  Porto  Rico,  153. 

Commendation  of,  157.  France,  78,  79. 

First  Idaho  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215.  Francis,  David  R.,  119. 

First  Illinois  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.  Franklin,  Benjamin,  67. 

Congratulations  to,  138.  Fredericksburp,  Virginia. 

First  Montana  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215.  Remarks  at,  Oct.  31,  '90,  348. 

First  Nebraska  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215.  Freedom. 

First  North  Dakota  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  Cause  of,  advanced  by  American  na- 

215,  280,  283.  tioual  life,  8. 

First  South  Dakota  Regiment  U.  S.  V.,  Frost,  Alfred  S.,  234. 

215,  284,  285,  289,  291,  292,  293,  294.  298. 

Privilege  of  muster  out  upon  rtitifica-  Q. 

tion  of  treaty  of  peace  declined,  290. 

First  Tennessee  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215.  Gadsden  Purchase,  266. 

Gallantry  of,  at  Cebu,  227,  270.  Galena,  Illinois,  201. 

First  Washington  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  312. 

215.  Galesburg,  Illinois,  238. 

First  Wyoming  Regiment,  U.  S,  V.,  215.  Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  116. 

Fisher,  Marcus  A.,  221.  Address  at,  Oct.  7,  '99,  232. 

Fitzgerald,  Rt.  Rev.  James  N.,  210.  Gallatin,  Albert,  76. 

Flag,  the,  38,  43,  50,  99,  132,   160,   161,  Geneva,  Switzerland,  351. 

206,  209,  210,  218,  223,  2^7,  229,  230,  Georgia  Agricultural  and    Mechanical 

240,   241,  242,  24f>,  247,  201,   271,   273,  College. 

276,   277,  281,  2S5,  287,  288,   289,  291,  Advice  to  students  of,  177. 

296,  297,  303,  304,  306,  308,   309,  310,— Germany,  78,  79. 

312,   315,   317,  319,  321,  322,   323,   325,  Gettysburg,  162,  3C1. 

327,   328,  331,  332,  333,  335,  337,  338,  Gibbon*,  George  P.,  248. 

340,   341,  343,  352,  357,  364.  Gilman,  Illinois. 

Its  followers,  38.  Speech  at,  Oct.  15,  '98,  129. 

Loved  in  every  State  in  the  Union,  106.  Glasgow,  Scotland,  182. 

Inspires  patriotism,  107.  •  Glenwood,  Iowa. 

Followed  by  trade.  109.  ^^  Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  107. 

Always  a  symbol  of   humanity  an/r^fcold,  240,  314,  316. 

civilization,  114.  Reserve,  3,  345. 

Love  of,  enshrined  in  all  hearts,  121.  Parity  between,  and  silver,  4. 

Symbol  of  patriotism,  123.  Composed  four  fifths  of  Treasury  bal- 

Duty  of  people  to  stand  by,  123.  ance,  Oct.  1,  '98,  120. 

Now  floats  over  Hawaii,  129,  153.  Balance,  amount  of,  292. 

Never  so  dear  to  us  as  now,  139,  149.  «»Gold  standard,  199,  303,  3G2. 

Never  lloated  over  so  many  places  as  Government. 

now,  139,  149.  Popular,  strength  and  spirit  of,  un- 

Never  went  down  in    defeat,   never  doubted,  99. 

was  raised  in  dishonor,  145.  ^government,  The,  247,  259,  260,  307,  315. 

Means  more  now  than  ever  before,  Credit  must  be  preserved,  4. 

145.  Economy  in,  4. 

Floats  triumphantly  over  Porto  Rico,  Revenue     should     exceed     exnendi- 

153.  tures,  5. 

American  principles  go  with,  192.  Credit  best  secured  through  adequate 

Has  lost  none  of  its  luster  in  Spanish  income,  6. 

War,  203.  All  citizens  equally  responsible  for  its 

Does  not  change  in  character  wher-  progress  and  preservation,  34.             •• 

ever  it  floats,  232.  Restricted  in  its  power  to  promote 

Is  never  raised  anywhere  for  oppres-  industry,  62. 

sion,  278.  Can  aid  commerce,  but  not  create  it, 

Floats    for    liberty   wherever    it    is  62. 

raised,  278,  282.  Debt  of  gratitude  to  American  women, 

Significance  of,  305.  88. 


378 


INDEX. 


Safe  in  hands  of  people,  99. 
Principles  on  which  founded  must  be 
adhered  to  in  settlement  of  present 
problems,  134. 

E,ests  upon  intelligence,  morality,  and 
patriotism  of  the  people,  183. 
Purpose    of,    respecting   Philippines 
stated,  190,  212. 


Henderson,  D.  B.,  303. 

Hendrieks,  Thomas  A.,  145. 

Hengelniuller   von    Hengervar,   Ladis- 

»laus,  79. 

Hoar,  George  F.,  195. 

Hobson,  Mrs.,  171. 

Hobson,  Richmond  P.,  116,  156,  171. 

Holleben,  Herr  von,  79. 


Loyalty  to,  is  our  national  creed,  209.^Home,  255,  263,  314,  321,  322,  326. 


Rests  in  hearts  and  consciences  of  the 

people,  273. 

Emanates  from  the  people,  275. 

Is  worthy  of  our  best  love  and  affec 
tion,  300. 

Grady,  Henry  W.,  164. 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  37,  40,  41, 

44,  92,  193,  202,  222,  223,  224,  230,  283, 

289. 

Its  extension  to  include  Spanish  War 

veterans  suggested,  92,  194. 
Grant,  U.  S.,  16-18,  37,  39,  40,  104,  130, 

165,  194,  201,  202,  203,  224,    230,   248, 

253,  282,  312,  353,  361,  364,  369,  370. 

Cuban  revolution  during  administra 
tion  of,  115. 

Rapid  growth  of  his  fame,  201. 

His  last  public  appearance,  202. 

His  achievements,  202. 
Grant  Monument,  New  York. 

Address  at  dedication,  16. 
Gray,  James,  262. 
Great  Britain,  12,  13,  78,  79. 
Greenbacks. 


No  longer  drain  Treasury  of  gold,  315.     Hongkong,  295. 
reene,  Nathaniel,  104. 


Our  free  institutions  founded  upon 
its  virtue,  36. 

Good  citizenship  comes  from  its  pu 
rity,  36. 

Our  first  concern,  47. 
Safety,  permanence,  and  virtue  of  the 
republic  rest  upon  it,  49. 
Origin  of  best  sentiments,  91. 
Purity  of,   foundation   of   American 
government,  92. 

Sourceof  thepowerof  the  republic,  137. 
Is  foundation  of  good  individual  life 
and  good  government,  177. 
Is  training-school  for  author,  soldier, 
and  statesman,  206. 
Love  of,  corner-stone  of  strength  and 
safety,  242. 

Is  the  ideal  government,  275. 
Is  school-house  for  education  in  duties 
of  citizenship,  275. 

Source  of  virtue  and  integrity  of  gov 
ernment,  275. 

Is  hope  of  our  republic,  275. 
•Home  Market  Club,  Boston,  185. 


Greene! 

Greenland,  268. 
Guam,  186,  268. 
Guantanamo,  107, 153,  156. 


Hamilton,  Alexander,  73,  76. 
Hamilton,  Edward  L.,  334. 
Hamilton,  Ohio. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  149. 
Hampton  Institute,  Virginia,  168. 
Hancock.  John,  73. 
Hancock,  W.  S.,  16,  194. 
Hansbrough,  H.  C.,  279. 
Harrison,  Benjamin,  145,  366. 
Harrisonburg,  Virginia. 

Speech  at,  May  20,  '99,  204. 
Harvard,  The,  324. 
Harvard  University,  197, 198. 
Haskell,  Colonel,  152. 
Hastings,  Iowa. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  109. 
Havana,  110,  131,  295. 
Hawaii,  268,  287,  320. 

Annexation  of,  114,  115,  129. 
Hawkins,  Alexander  L.,  212. 
Hay,  John. 

Quotation  from,  192. 
Hayes,  Rutherford  B.,  42. 
Hemphill,  W.  A.,  159. 


Hoopestown,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '99,  258. 
House  of  Representatives,  72,  346. 
Howell,  Clarke,  164. 
Hull,  Isaac,  104. 


Substantial  gain  to,  is  real  honor  of 
victory,  87. 

Huron,  South  Dakota. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  288. 


Illinois,  99,  126,  238,  260,  268. 
Population  now  greater  than  that  of 
thirteen  original  colonies,  128. 
•  *•     Always  potential  in  national  councils, 
130. 
Response  of,  to  call  for  volunteers,  ISO. 

Immigration. 

(See  Naturalization.) 
**Tmperialism,  365. 

JN'ot  contemplated  by  the  American 
miad,  192. 

Alien  to  American  sentiment,  thought, 
and  purpose*  192. 

One  of  disasters  predicted  if  Louisi 
ana  Purchase  was  ratified,  266. 
Impossible,  365. 

Universal  abhorrence  for  and  unani 
mous  opposition  to,  365. 


Imports,  303,  316,  362. 
Present  proportion  of,  to  exports,  98. 

Inaugural  Address,  March  4,  '97,  2. 
Country  suffering  from  industrial  dis 
turbances,  2. 

Financial  system  needs  revision,  2. 
Money  should    be    put    on   enduring 
basis,  3. 

Currency  should  continue  under  su 
pervision  of  government,  3. 
Too  many  forms  of  paper  money,  3. 
Commission  suggested  to  revise  coin 
age,  banking,  and  currency  laws,  S. 
Will  endeavor  to  secure  international 
bimetallism,  4. 

Parity  between  gold  and  silver,  4. 
Silver  money  must  be  kept  at  par,  4. 
Economy  demanded  at  all  times,  4. 
Revenue  should  exceed  expenditures, 
5. 

Revenue  should  be  sufficient  to  pro 
vide  for  pensioners,  5. 
Surplus  created  by  loans  not  safe  reli 
ance,  5. 

Loans  imperative  in  emergencies,  6. 
Credit  of  government  must  be  pre 
served,  f'. 

Taxation  best  way  to  raise  income,  C. 
Taxation  of  imports  settled  policy  of 
government,  6. 

Direct  taxation  avoided  except  in  war, 
6. 

Country  opposed    to    needless    addi^j 
tions  to  internal  taxation,  6. 
Country  committed  to  tariff  taxation 
by  latest  popular  utterance,  6. 
Controlling  principle  of  tariff  taxa 
tion,  6. 

Protection    controlling    principle    in 
raising  revenue,  6. 
Protection  people's  will,  6. 
Credit  best  secured  through  adequate 
income,  6. 

Voice  of  the  people  more  potential 
than  any  political  platform,  7. 
Protective  legislation  should  be  re 
stored,  7. 

Reciprocity  principle  of  law  of  1890 
should  be  reenacted  and  extended,  7. 
Additional  discretionary  power  in 
making  commercial  treaties  suggested, 

Agriculture  and  labor  affected  by  de 
pression,  7. 

Legislation  helpful  to  producers  is 
beneficial  to  all,  8. 

Restoration  of  prosperity  will  take 
time,  8. 

Congressional  action  needed  to  restore 
prosperity,  8. 

Ability  of  the  people  to  meet  emer 
gencies,  8. 

Cause  of  freedom  advanced  by  Ameri 
can  national  life,  8. 
Equality  of  rights  must  prevail,  9. 


Lynchings  must  not  be  tolerated,  9. 

Purpose  of  the  Republican  party  re 
garding  trusts  will  be  pursued,  10. 

Naturalization  and  immigration  laws 

should  be  further  improved,  10. 

Spread  of  free  education  should   be 

encouraged,  10. 

Reforms  in  civil  service  must  go  on, 

10. 

Spirit  of  civil-service  law  will  be  car 
ried  out,  10. 

Congress  should  help  restore  merchant 

marine,  11. 

Foreign  policy  outlined,  11,  12. 

Arbitration  true  method  of  settling 

differences,  12. 

Arbitration  treaty  with  Great  Britain 

should  be  ratified',  13. 

Extraordinary  session  of  Congress  will 

be  convened  March  15,  '97,  14. 
Independence,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  307. 
Indinna,  256,  260,  208,  332. 

Pi.jmptness  of  response  to  call   for 

volunteers,  141,  143. 
Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  144. 
Indian  Territory,  2C4. 
Industry. 

Application  of  art  to,  23. 

Supplemented  by  character,  23. 

And  character  win  in  every  contest,  23. 
•nternational  Peace  Conference,  138,  263. 
Iowa,  t>6,  97,  S9,  264,  301,  303.  306,  310. 

High  qualities  of  its   national  repre 
sentatives,  89. 

Readiness  to  furnish  troops,  97. 

Contribution  to  Spanish  War,  108. 

Influence  of,  on  the  nation.  111. 
Iowa  Agricultural  College,  93. 
Iowa  Falls,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  301. 
Iowa  State  Normal  School,  304. 
Ipswich,  Wisconsin. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  313. 
Italy,  78,  79. 

J 

Jackson,  Andrew,  32. 
Jackson,  Thomas  J.,  104,  369. 
Jackson,  Michigan. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  335. 
Japan. 

Imports  of.  from  United  States,  251. 
Jay,  John,  73. 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  73,  266,  311,  320,  35 1. 
Johnson,  Andrew,  32. 
Johnston,  Joseph  E.,  369. 
Joliet,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  7,  '99,  239. 
Jones,  John  Paul,  104. 


Kankakee,  Illinois. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  15,  '98,  130. 


380 


INDEX. 


Kansas,  264,  266. 
Kenosha,  Wisconsin. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  328. 
Kewanee,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  7,  '99,  236. 
King,  Charles  A.,  324. 
King,  Rev.  Walter,  357. 
King's  Mountain,  32. 
Knowledge. 

Aspiration   for,    is    corner-stone   for 

learning  and  liberty,  58. 

No   country,  epoch,   or   race    has    a 

monopoly  upon,  168. 
Kokomo,  Indiana. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  140. 


,  240,  256,  258,  272,  327,  332,  342, 
345,  346,  350. 

Effect  of  depression  upon,  7. 
Well  employed,  beneficial  results  of, 
29. 

Value  of  wages  should  be  protected, 
63. 

Now  sought  by  employment,  85,  111, 
118,  142,  236,  239,  256,  326. 


When  sought  by  employer,  gets  bette 

pay  than  when  seeking  employment 

142. 

Interest  in  cause  of,  248. 

Good  condition  of,  in  United  States, 

249. 

Universal  demand  for,  326. 

Wages  have  advanced,  362. 
Ladies'  Memorial  Association,   Peoria, 

Illinois,  230. 

Lafayette,  Marquis  de,  181. 
Lake  Preston,  South  Dakota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  290. 
Landis,  Charles  B.,  142. 
La  Salle,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  7,  '99,  237. 
Laurier,  Sir  Wilfrid,  253. 
Lawton,  Henry  W.,  180,  198,  305. 
Lee,  Richard  Henry,  358. 
Lee,  Robert  E,,  39,  104,  230,  253,  353, 

361,  364,  3C9,  370. 
Legislation. 

Helpful  to  producers  is  beneficial  to 

all,  8. 
Lincoln.  Abraham,  16,  17,    21,  127,  130, 

178,   201,   232,  233-235,   238,  239,   277, 


Livingstone,  David,  367. 
Loans. 

Surplus  created  by,  not  safe  reliance,  5. 

Imperative  in  emergencies,  6. 
Locomotives. 

Increase  in  exportation  of,  240. 
Lodge,  Henry  Cabot,  196. 
Logan,  John  A.,  16,  37,  40,  104.  130,  191. 

238,  248. 
Logan,  Iowa. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  99. 
Logansport,  Indiana. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  139. 
Long,  John  D.,  196,  198. 
Longstreet,  James,  104,  369. 
Louisiana,  264. 
Louisiana  Purchase,  213,  264,  266,  311. 

Arguments  of  opponents  of,  264-266. 
Lovejoy,  Owen,  238. 
Loyal  Legion,  Washington,  D0  C. 

Speech  at  banquet,  360. 
Luzon,  246,  277,  280,  282,  283,  284,  289, 

294,  318,  328,  331,  335,  338,  352. 
Lynchings. 

Must  not  be  tolerated,  9. 

M 


Purpose  to  save  the  Union,  134,  294. 

Followed  the  people,  124. 

Name  of,  an  inspiration  to  all  lovers 

of  liberty,  126. 

Emancipation  Proclamation,  281. 

Speech  of,  at  Gettysburg,  361. 
Lincoln  and  Douglas  debates,  130,  233, 

238,  239. 

Influence    of,     in     molding     public 

opinion,  130. 
Lind,  John,  262. 


MacArthur,  Arthur,  324. 
McClellan,  George  B.,  369. 
McClernand,  John  A.,  130. 
McCumber,  James  P.,  283. 
.._  Macomb.  Illinois. 
^  Remarks  at,  Oct.  6,  '99,  227. 
Macon,  Georgia. 

Speech  at,  Dec.  19,  '98,  178. 
McPherson,  James  B.,  16,  40,  248. 
Madison,  James,  73,  354. 
Madison,  South  Dakota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  291. 
Madison,  Wisconsin. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  317. 
Mahoning  valley,  342. 
Malvern,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  108. 
Manchester,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  308. 
Manila,  82,  104,  107,  116,  117,  126,  149, 

152,  153,   156,   162,  186,  189,  193,  198, 

202,  214,  225,  246,  254,  279,  287,  295, 
298,  333,  339,  354. 

Manila  Bay,  battle  of,  126, 139,  175,  189, 

203,  215,  225,   226,  287,  290,  295,  315, 
316,  339,  343. 

Marcy,  William  L.,  320. 

Marines,  152. 

Services   of,    at    Guantanamo    com 
mended,  107. 

Mariscal,  Ignacio,  253. 

Markets. 

New,  required,  61,  110. 
New,  good  prospect  for,  109. 

Marquette  Club,  Chicago,  241. 
Loyalty  and  patriotism  of,  241. 

Marshall,  John,  73,  354. 


INDEX. 


381 


Marshalltown,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  91. 

Maryland,  208. 

Masons. 

Reverence  of,  for  name  of  Washing 
ton,  355. 

Interest  of,  in  observance  of  anniver 
sary  of  his  death,  355. 

Massachusetts,  49,  267. 
Illustrious  past,  49. 
Force  and  influence  in  the  nation.  49. 
The  home  and  fountain  of  liberty,  196. 
Stands  for  national  credit    and  na 
tional  honor,  197. 

Fortunate  in  her  educational  institu 
tions,  205. 

Me;id,  Elizabeth  S.,  205. 

Meade,  George  G.,  224. 

Memorial  and  Library  Building,  Adams, 
Massachusetts,  50. 

Merchant  marine,  62,  323. 
Should  he  restored,  11. 
Immediate  development  of,  advisable, 
252. 

Merchants  and  Manufacturers'  Associ 
ation,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  323. 

Meirimae,  The,  110  156. 

Merritt,  Darwin  R.,  110. 

Merritt,  Wesley,  127,  156,  174. 

Mexico,  244,  253. 

Michigan,  335. 

Michigan  City,  Indiana. 
Remarks  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  332. 

Miles,  Nelson  A.,  81,  127. 

Miley,  John  D.,  254. 

Milledgeville,  Georgia. 
Remarks  at,  Dec.  19,  '98,  180. 

Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 
Speech  at  DeutseherClub,  Oct.  16,  '99, 
322. 

Speech  at  banquet  of  Merchants  and 
Manufacturers'  Association,  Oct.  16, 
'99,  323. 

Remarks  at  the  iron  foundries,  Oct.  17, 
'99,  325. 

Milwaukee  Public  Library,  324. 

Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  276. 
Address  at,  Oct.  12,  '99,  262. 

Minnesota,  261,  264,  270,  276,  311. 

Mississippi,  266. 

Missouri,  2f!4. 

Missouri  Valley,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  99. 

ney,  2.  256,  350. 
Should  be  put  on  enduring  basis,  3. 
Paper,  too  many  forms,  3. 
Gold  and  silver,  parity  between,  4. 
Silver,  must  be  kept  at  par,  4. 
Duty  of  government  to  keep  unques 
tioned  and  unassailable,  63. 
Sound,  64. 

Circulation  July  1,  '98,  larger  than  ever 
before,  121. 

Now  sufficient  for  business  of  govern 
ment,  127. 


American,  honor  of,  sustained,  127. 
Now  so  abundant  that  foreign  invest 
ments  are  sought,  198. 
Debased,  no  longer  any  fear  of,  199. 
Abundant  and  good,  314. 

Monmouth,  Illinois. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  115. 

Monroe,  James,  354. 

Montana,  264. 

Montauk  Point,  New  York,  Camp  Wi- 
koff,  171. 

Introductory  remarks  of  Major-Gen 
eral  Wheeler,  U.  S.  V.,  80. 
Speech  of  the  President,  81. 

Montgomery,  Alabama. 
Speech  to  General  Assembly  and  citi 
zens  in  State  Capitol,  Dec.  16,  '98,  170. 

Morris,  Robert,  76. 

Mount  Holyoke  College,  South  Hadley, 
Massachusetts,  !205. 

Mount  lloreb,  Wisconsin. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  316. 

Mount  Vernon,  Virginia. 
Address  at  services  commemorative 
of  death  of  George  Washington,  Dec. 
14,  '99,  355. 

N 
Nation,  The. 

Faith  in  future  of,  66. 

Principles  upon  which  founded,  66. 

Its  gratitude  to  soldiers  of  Spanish 

War,  SO,  82,  88. 

Institutions  of,  will  be  preserved,  90. 

Characteristics  of,  make  it  equal  to 

every  task,  106. 

Has  much  to  be  thankful  for,  109. 

Fortunate  in  valor  of    soldiers  and 

sailors,  110. 

Duty  of,  must  be  determined  and  car 
ried  out,  115. 

Future  of,  rests  with  the  people,  129. 

Will  care  for  its  disabled  soldiers,  15S. 

Strength  of,  rests  in  love  and  lovalty 

of  the  people,  243,  255. 
National  Association  of  Manufacturers 

of  the  United  States. 

Speech  at  banquet  of,  New  York,  Jan. 

27,  '98,  60. 
National  Board  of  Trade,  reply  to  speech 

of  delegates  from,  Jan.  24,  1900,  859. 
National  defense  fund,  103,  305. 

Impression  created  by  appropriation 

of,  120. 
Naturalization. 

And  immigration  laws  should  be  fur 
ther  improved,  10. 
Naval  militia,  226. 
Navy,  84,  85,  96,  103,  116,  126,  135,  139, 

144,    145,   148,   152,  lf>4,  155,  160,    171, 
-%  179,    196,   203,   214,   215,  224,  226,  246, 

318,    324,  333,  330,  350,  352. 
Nebraska,  100,  264. 
Negroes. 

Bravery  of,  in  Spanish  War,  126,  127. 


382 


INDEX. 


In  Spanish  War,  vindicated  their'title 

to  liberty,  127. 

Rapid    advance    of,     in    civilization, 

176. 

Valor  of,  commended,  177. 

Patriotism  of,  241. 
Nevada,  266. 

Nevada  Cavalry,  U.  S.  V.,  215. 
Newark,  Ohio. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  154. 
New  England. 

Civilization  of,  penetrates  every  State 

and  Territory,  35. 

Its  homes  established  in  every  part 

of  the  country,  49. 

Its  contributions  to  good  citizenship, 

49. 

New  England  States,  268. 
New  Jersey,  268. 
New  London,  Connecticut. 

Remarks  at,  Feb.  16,  '99,  184. 
New  Mexico,  266. 
New  York,  N.  Y.,  202. 

Address  at  dedication  of  Grant  Monu 
ment,  16. 

Speech  at  banquet  of  National  Asso 
ciation  of  Manufacturers,  Jan.  27,  '98, 

60. 

Speech  at  banquet  of  Ohio  Society  of 

New  York,  March  3,  1900,  361. 

Address  at  Ecumenical   Conference, 

April  21,  1900,  366. 

icaragua  Canal,  62. 
Nile,  The,  351. 
Niles,  Michigan. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  334. 
Niles,  Ohio,  334. 
»     Remarks  at,  Oct.  18,  '99,  340. 
Noblesville,  Indiana. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  143. 
North,  The,  253. 

Should  now  share  with  South  in  care 

of    graves   of    Confederate   soldiers, 

159. 
North  Adams,  Massachusetts. 

Speech  at  Hoosac  Valley  Agricultural 

Society  Fair,  Sept.  22,  '97,  48. 
North  Carolina,  268. 
North  Dakota,  264,  311. 

Admission  of,  mentioned,  279. 

Rapid  progress  of,  282. 
Northwestern  University,  331. 


Ocean  Grove,  New  Jersey. 

Speech  at,  Aug.  25,  '99,  210. 
Ocean  Grove  Association,  210. 
Oglesby,  Richard  J.,  130,  238. 
Ohio,  42,  44,  153,  268,  339,  341,  362.  ^ 

Its  soldiers  in  Civil  War,  43.  * 

Promptness  of   response  to  call  for 

volunteers,  153. 
Ohio  Society  of  New  York. 

Speech  at  banquet  of,  361, 


Oklahoma,  264,  266. 

Omaha,  Nebraska,  86,  96,  100,  106. 
Address  at  Trans-Mississippi  Exposi 
tion,  Oct.  12,  '98,  100. 
Remarks  on  leaving,  Oct.  13,  '98,  106. 

Oregon,  268. 

Oregon,  The,  324. 

Osceola,  Iowa. 
Remarks  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  112. 

Otis,  Elwell  S.,  156,  187,  198,  216,  284. 

Ottawa,  Illinois. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  7,  '99,  238. 

Ottumwa,  Iowa. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  114. 

Oxford,  Ohio. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  148. 

Oxford  College,  Oxford,  Ohio,  148. 
Prominent  men  furnished  to  the  pub 
lic  service  by,  148. 


Palmer,  John  M.,  130. 
Parcels  post,   now  arranged  with  Ger 
many,  251. 
Paris,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  15,  '98,  123. 
Parkersburg,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  303. 
Partiztxnship. 

Must  be  subordinated  to  faithful  exe 
cution  of  national  duty,  161. 

Can  hold  few  of  tis  against  duty,  3C4. 
Patriotism,  35,  50,  227,  229,  242,  246,  248, 

256,  259,  261,   270,  271,  279,  285,  289, 

298,  303,  310,  315,  321,  322,  324,   328, 

333,  334,  336,  337,  344,  350,  364. 

Great  element  in  the  strength  of  any 

government,  53. 

Never  greater  than  now,  84. 

Superior  to  party  differences,  88,  97, 

117,  144. 

United  and  enthusiastic  in  Spanish 

War,  102. 

Must  be  continued,  110. 

Of  school-children,  119. 

Universal    throughout   the    country, 

125,  139. 

Must  be  faithful  as  well  as  fervent, 

135. 

Of  citizens,  bulwark    of  the  nation, 

172. 

American,  neither  sectional  nor  s 

tarian,  209. 

The  present  is  an  era  of,  226. 

Is    an    all-conquering    sentiment    in 

American  heart,  290. 

Triumphs  over  mere  politics,  290. 
Pauncefote.  Sir  Julian,  79. 

*  Peace,  84,  86,  87,  347. 
Need  for  unity  in  settlement  of,  85, 
94,  95,  96,  98,   100,  105,  109,  110,  112, 
115,  117,  122,  125,  128,  139,  140,  164. 
Terms  of,  must  be  in  interest  of  hu 
manity,  87. 


INDEX. 


383 


Should   be   humane,  honorable,  and 

just,  92,  149. 

Is  first  and  indispensable  requirement 

in  Philippines,  325. 
•Peace  Commission,  179,  189. 

Final  determination  of  our  purposes 

awaits  action  of,  and  of  Senate,  135. 

Will  settle  extent  of  our  responsibili 
ties,  135. 
Pensioners. 

Revenue  should  always  be  sufficient 

to  provide  for,  5. 
People. 

A    self-governed,   will    never  permit 

despotism  in  any  government  which 

they  foster  and  defend,  335. 
^People,  The,  6,  260,  270,  321,  322,  328, 

329,  333,  336,  343,  360,  364. 

Voice  of,   more   potential  than  any 

political  platform,  7. 

Ability  of,  to  meet  emergencies,  8,  93, 

117,  156. 

Destiny  of  the  government  in  their 

hands,  20. 

Their  welfare  cherished  above  party 

or  State,  34. 

Their  duty  in  promotion  of  prosperity 

outlined,  62. 

Ability  to  meet  financial  burdens  of 

Civil  War,  76. 

Future  of,  depends  upon  themselves, 

78. 

Entitled  to  know  treatment  accorded 

soldiers,  84. 

Will  be  controlled  by  high  purpose  in 

settlement  of  peace,  84,  87,  90,  129, 

131,  135,  144,  146,  165. 

Must  act  together  in  settlement  of 

peace.  94,  95,  96,  98,  100,  105,  109,  110, 

112,  115,  117,  122,   125,   128,   139,  140, 

164. 

Never    shirk    a    responsibility    and 

never  unload  a  burden  that  carries 

forward  civilization,  87. 

Should    riot  shirk  responsibilities  of 

Spanish  War,  90,  140,  145,  153. 

All  power  rests  with,  91. 

Recipients  of  profit  on  bonds  of  war 

loan,  91. 

Want  humane,   honorable,  and   just 

peace,  92,  135. 

High  aim  and  purpose  of,  99. 
»    Opportunities  for  elevation  of,  secured 

by  wise  free  government,  101. 

Patriotic  in  every  crisis,  110. 

Patriotism  of,  112. 

Sure    to  be  right  in  their  ultimate 

Judgment,  113. 

Their  duty  to  new  peoples  in  conse 
quence  of  war,  116,  174. 

Must  pursue  duty,  118,  125,  175. 

Want  the  victories  of  army  and  navy 

recognized  in  treaty  of  peace,  123. 

Must  settle  Spanish  War  in  interest 

of  humanity,  128. 


Voice  of,  is  mandate  of  Irwr,  129,  315. 
The  currents  of  destiny  flow  through 
the  hearts  of,  131. 

Virtue  of,  lies  at  foundation  of  repub 
lic,  137. 

Would  have  the  nation  help  the  op 
pressed  people  brought  by  the  war 
within  the  sphere  of  their  influence, 
142. 

Have  much  to  be  grateful  for,  146. 
Will  of,  is  command  to  Congress  and 
to  the  Executive,  146. 
United  in  conduct  and  settlement  of 
Spanish  War,  150,  186,  306. 
Brought  together  by  the  war,  will  be 
kept  together  by  its  settlement,  165. 
Action  of,  in  settlement  of  present 
problems  must  be  controlled  by  duty, 
174. 

Majority  of,  always  on  side  of  right 
and  good  government,  183. 
Cannot     avoid    responsibility  of  na 
tional  problems,  190. 
Future  of  Philippines  in  their  hands, 
191. 

••.  Duty  of,  to  see  that  Union  endures, 
204. 

Always  ready  to  take  all  the  respon 
sibility  which  conies  from  a  right 
eous  war,  227. 

Government  by,  has  not  been  retarded, 
but  advanced,  245. 
Characteristics  of,  259. 
Public  aim  of,  high  and  noble,  274. 
Government  emanates  from,  275. 
Masterful  in  administration  and  legis 
lation,  277. 

Judgment  of,  when  constitutionally^^ 
rendered,  is  law  of  land,  277. 
Have  common  interest  and  pride  in 
all  that  relates  to  the  government,  286. 
Never  shirk  duty,  288. 
Chief  glory  of,  is  in  triumphs  of  peace, 
293. 

Are  for  the  flag  wherever  it  floats,  296. 
Can  always  be  trusted,  298. 
Purpose  of,  regarding  Philippines,  303. 
Interest  of,  in  government,  307. 
Determined   to    keep  the   American 
name  unsullied,  309. 
Duty  of,  to  stand  by  national  honor 
and  protect  new  territory,  338.  * 
Are  doing  business  on  business  prin 
ciples,  350. 

Peoria,  Illinois. 

Speech  at  unveiling  of  soldiers'  monu 
ment,  Oct.  6,  '99,  230. 
Remarks  upon  presentation  of  an  al 
bum,  Oct.  6,  '99,  232. 

Pepper,  William,  22,  27,  28. 

Philadelphia,  224,  351,  354. 
Address  at  unveiling  of  Washington 
Statue,  May  15,  '97,  19. 
Remarks  to  American  Medical  Asso 
ciation,  June  2,  '97,  22. 


384: 


INDEX. 


Speech  at  banquet  of  Museums  and 
Manufacturers'  Club,  June  2,  '97,  27. 
Remarks  at  School  of  Industrial  Art, 
June  2,  '97,  23. 

Address  at  National  Opening  of  Phila 
delphia  Museums,  June  2,  '97,  23. 
Hospitality  of  people,  28. 
Type  of  American  pluck  and  purpose, 
30. 

Address  to  officers  and  students  of 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  67. 
Action   of,  in   creating   Philadelphia 
Museums,  26. 

Remarks  at  Union  League  banquet, 
Oct.  26,  '98,  154. 

Speech  at  banquet  of  Clover  Club, 
Oct.  27,  '98,  155. 

Witnessed  earliest  consecration  of 
liberty  to  the  republic,  155. 


Purpose  of  the  United  States  in  re 
gard  to,  306. 
Sovereignty  over,  belongs  to  the  peo 


ple,  307. 
In 


isurrection  in,  213,  256,  258,  293, 295, 
318,  330,  335,  336,  338,  340,  345,  352. 
First  blow  struck  by  insurgents,  216. 
There  will  be  no  pause  until  insurrec 
tion  is  suppressed,  216. 
Inception  of  insurrection,  281. 

Pickering,  Timothy,  195. 

Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
Address  in  Carnegie  Library,  Nov.  3, 
'97,  56. 

Address   before  Tenth   Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  Aug.  28,  '99,  211. 

Pittsfleld,  Massachusetts. 
Remarks  at,  Sept.  24,  '97,  49. 

Plymouth  Rock,  245. 


Remarks  at  dinner  of  Union  League,     Poland,  Colonel',  152. 


April  27,  '99,  200. 

Speech  at  Academy  of  Music,  April  27, 

'99,  201. 

Remarks  on  board  the  U.  S.  S.  Raleigh, 

April  28,  '99,  203. 


Polk,  James  K.,  32. 
Ponce,  163. 
Population. 

Increase  of,  244. 
Porter,  David  D.,  17, 104, 155. 


Speech    at    G.    A.    R.    encampmenJ^Porto  Rico,  81,  104,  117,  153,  156,  186, 


Sept.  5,  '99,  222. 
Speech  at  banquet  of  Meade,  Lafay 
ette,  and  Kinsley  Posts,  G.  A.  R., 
Sept.  5,  '99,  224. 

Philadelphia  Museums. 
Address  at  National  Opening,  23. 
Aim  of,  24. 

Philadelphia  Museums  and   Manufac 
turers'  Club. 

Speech  at  banquet  of,  27. 
hilippine  Commission,  225. 
hilippines,  174,  175,  186,  189,  210,  212, 
227,  237,  242,  244,  246,  262,  268,  270, 


210,  212,  268,  287,  295,  306,  317,  319, 
354,   370. 
Powers,  The. 
Note  of,  April  6,  '98, 78. 


Reply  to,  79. 
President,  The,  331. 


Repetition  of  official  oath,  15. 
Aim  of,  15,  56,  274. 

Duty  of,  in  regard  to  the  Philippines, 
191,  308. 

Has  no  policy  against  will  of  people, 
325. 
Proctor,  Red  field,  36. 


ABfj     JBUflf     mXJff     4V3y     4W|      4\MB|     .iOO,     tfffVj  J.*WWJ4j    JA-CU 11C1U j 

276,  277,  278,  279,  284,  287,  290,  295,  Proctor,  Vermont. 
303,  304,  305,  307,  309,  311,  312,  315, 
317,  324,  325,  327,  328,  330,  331,  333, 

336,  339,  342,  370.  Necessary  to  prevent  degeneration,135. 

Must  not  be  turned  back  to  Spain,  187.  New  life  and  purpose  required  to  pre 
vent  weakness  and  decay,  135. 


Remarks  at,  Aug.  12,  '97,  36. 
Progress. 


Restoration  of  peace  our  first  consid 
eration,  189. 
Question  of,  rests  with  Congress,  190, 
191. 

Duty  of  Executive  to  hold  until  Con 
gress  shall  direct  otherwise,  191. 
No  flaw  in  title  to,  213. 
No   doubtful   methods  employed  to 
obtain,  213. 
Roll  of  honor,  214,  215. 
Future  of,  in  keeping  of  Congress,  269. 
Probable  nature  of  government,  269. 
Authority  of  United  States  in,  will  be 
upheld,  282. 

Responsibility  of,  a  result  of  battle  of 
Manila  Bay,  287. 

After  ratification  of  treaty,  territory 
of  the  United  States  as  much  as  any 
other  acquisition,  295. 
Views  of  General  Wheeler  regarding, 


There  must  be  broadening  of  thought 
as  well  as  broadening  of  trade,  135. 
Constant  movement  required  toward 
a  higher  and  nobler  civilization,  135. 
Prosperity,   33,  173,  182,  185,  198,  204, 
208,  220,  227,  228,  229,  236,  238,  239, 
248,  250,  256,  258,  261,  271,  272,   282, 
286,  288,  291,  302,  308,  314,  316,  323,- 
326,  328,  332,  336,  340,  342,   344,  350, 
359,  3f,0,  362. 

It  will  take  time  to  restore,  8. 
Action  of  Congress  necessary  to  res 
toration,  8. 

Adherence  to  principles  of  our  gov 
ernment  essential  to,  9. 
Commercial  and  industrial  develop- 
ment  of,  a  praiseworthy  cause,  24. 
All  are  interested  in,  irrespective  of 
party,  46,  47. 
Revival  of,  61. 


INDEX. 


385 


Restored,  85,  G8,  99,  101,  124. 

Evidences  of  restoration,  99,  101,  lllto 

118,  141. 
Protection. 

^-Controlling  principle  in  raising  reve 
nue,  6. 

People's  will,  6. 

Legislation  should  be  restored,  7. 
Protocol  with  Spain,  87,  186. 
Public-school  system. 

Advantages  of,  45. 


Quincy,  Josiah,  185. 
Quincy,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  6,  '99,  226. 

Soldiers'  Home,  226. 


Racine,  Wisconsin. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  32G. 
Railroad  employees. 

Patriotism  of,  commended,  136. 
Railways  of  United  States. 

Growth  of,  201. 
Ralei'jh,  The. 

Remarks  on  board  of,  203. 

Its  part  in  the  battle  of  Manila  Bay, 

203. 
•teciprocity,  28,  62. 

Principle  of  law  of  1S90  should  be  re- 
enacted  and  extended,  7. 

Of    trade    promotes    reciprocity   of 

friendship,  54. 

Status  of  contemplated  treaties,  251. 

Advantages  of,  shown  by  results  of 

treaty  with  France,  251. 
Red  Cross. 

Ship  bearing  flag  of,  first  to  enter  San 
tiago  harbor  after  surrender,  107. 
Red  Held,  South  Dakota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  286. 
Red  Oak,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '98,  109. 
Red  Wing,  Minnesota. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  12,  '99,  261. 
Responsibilities. 

International,  cannot  be  shirked,  102. 

International,  must  be  met  with  couj^ 

age  and  wisdom,  102. 
Revenue,  350. 

Should  exceed  expenditures,  5. 

Should  be  sufficient   to  provide   for 

pensioners,  5. 

Daily  amount  of,  257,  292,  345. 

Now  abundant,  302. 
Revolutionary  War,  259,  2S7,  352. 

Not  undertaken  originally  for  inde 
pendence,  134. 
Richmond,  Virginia. 

Remarks  at  station,  Oct.  31,  '99,  349. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  31,  '99,  349. 

Contributions  of,  to  navy,  350. 


Roller,  0.  B.,  204. 
Roosevelt,  Theodore,  198. 
Root,  Elihu,  225. 
Rosecrans.  William  S.,  43. 
Rough  Riders,  89. 
Rushville,  Indiana. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  146. 
Russia,  78,  79,  S51. 

Czar  of,  138,  263. 


St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

Speech  at  Merchants'  Exchange,  Oct. 

14,  '98,  117. 

Speech  in  Coliseum,  Oct.  14,  '98,  119. 
,St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

Speech  at  Auditorium,  Oct.  12,  '99,  269. 
St.  Thomas,  Island  of,  208. 
Sampson,  W.  T.,  107,  127,  225. 
San  Juan  hill,  80,  107,  116,  127,  149,  152, 

178,  246. 

Santiago,  80,  104,  107,  116,  126,  131,  152, 
156,  162,  163,  171,  186,  202,  206,  219,  221, 
246,  2f>4,  295,  315,  317,  350,  354. 

Savannah,  Georgia. 
Speech  at  Board  of  Trade  banquet, 
De  Soto  Hotel,  Dec.  17,  '98,  172. 
Speech  at  Georgia   Agricultural    and 
Mechanical  College,  Dec.  18,  '98,  176. 

School  of  Industrial  Art,  Philadelphia. 
Remarks  at,  23. 

School-children,  45,  228,  231,  272,  278, 
308,  321,  332,  341. 

Must  succeed  to   responsibilities    of 
government,  113,  120. 
Patriotism  of,  119. 

Schurman,  J.  G.,  225. 

Second  Massachusetts  Regiment,  U.  S.  V. , 
206. 

Second  Oregon  Regiment,  U.  S.  V.,  215. 

Sectional  lines. 

Obliterated,  15,  R3,  39,  43,  50,  51,  8"., 
88,  95,  98,  103,  108,  117,  118,  121,  li!2, 
125,  140,  141,  143,  160,  165,  171,  173, 

179,  180,    182,  183,  197,  203,  204,  223, 
229,    240,    2.'3,  255,  299,  304,  305,  310, 
313,    348,    349,  353,  361,  364. 
Transcended    by    fraternal    national 
spirit,  18. 

No  longer  mar  the  map  of  the  United 
States,  158. 

Senate,  The,  72,  195,  346. 
Action  of,  following  action  of  Peace 
Commission,  will  determine  our  pur 
poses,  135. 

Seventeenth  Regiment  United  States 
Infantry,  152. 

Sevier,  John,  32. 

Seward,  William  H.,  320.  -*•• 

Shafter,  William  R.,  107,  116,  127,  179. 

Shaw,  L.  M.,  86. 
His  reply  to  call  for  troops,  97. 

Sheridan,  P.  H .,  10,  40,  104,  155,  194, 
224,  369. 


386 


INDEX. 


Sherman,  Roger,  73. 

Sherman,  W.  T.,  16,  40,  104,  155,  194, 

224,  248,  369. 
Shiloh,  202. 

Ship-building,  increase  of,  252. 
Shubrick,  The. 

Launching  of,  349. 
Silver  money. 

Parity  between  gold  and,  4. 

Must  be  kept  at  par,  4. 
Sioux  City,  Iowa. 

Remarks  at  Whitfleld  Methodist  Epis- 


War  ol  humanity,  131,  134,  140,  145, 

147,  151,  165,  2Q£L  315,  319. 
•••Results  of,  noWoreseen,  133. 
PWObligations  of  victory  cannot  be  es 
caped,  133,  145. 

Briefness  and  success  of,  cause  for< 

thankfulness,  146. 
*^Terms  extended  to  the  vanquished, 

147. 

Eulogy  of  dead  heroes,  152. 

Short  but  decisive,  165. 

Promptness  of  enlistment  for,  has  few 


copal  Sunday-school,  Oct.  15,  '99,  301.         parallels,  279. 
Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota.  ^p*Every  effort  made  to  avert  it,  287. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  294.  ^f  Those  who  sought  it  most  are  now 

Slavery,  239,  294.  trying  to  shirk  its  responsibilities,  186, 

End  of,  unforeseen,  41.  ^^  319. 

Smith  College,  205.  **  Results  of,  are  nation's  problem,  363. 

Society  of  tho  Cincinnati.  Loan,  314. 

Address  at  unveiling  of  Washington        Loan,  over-subscription  of,  111,  120, 


Statue  by,  19. 
Somerset,  Pennsylvania. 


292. 
Springfield,  Illinois. 


Remarks  to  Lincoln  Club,  Sept.  9,  '97,        Speech  at,  Oct.  15,  '98,  126. 

Springfield,  Massachusetts. 

Speech  at,  June  21,  '99,  206. 
Stanard,  E.  0.,  359. 
Stanton,  Edwin  M.,  16. 


47. 

Remarks  at  reception  of  R.  P.  Cum 
mins  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  Sept.  10,  '97,  48. 
South,  The,  253. 


Loyalty  of,  to  the  Union  and  the  flag,     Staples,  Minnesota. 


shown  by  Spanish  War,  159. 

Prosperity  of,  351. 
South  Carolina,  268. 
South  Dakota,  264,  284,  288,  298,  311. 
South  Hadley,  Massachusetts. 


Remarks  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  276. 
Statesmanship. 

Must  be  wise  as  well  as  fearless,  135. 

Should  be  far-sighted,  135. 
Strong,  Rev.  Nathan,  357. 


Speech  at  Mount    Holyoke  College,     Summers,  Owen,  262. 
June  20,  '99,  205.  Stunner,  Charles,  195. 

Spain,  78,  79,  83,  187,  188,  213,  216,  259,     Sumter,  Fort,  234. 


295. 

Treaty  of  peace  with,  179,  190,  197, 


Superior,  Wisconsin. 
Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  271. 


268,  280,  284,  295,  307,  318,  330,  339,     Surplus,  120,  129,  292,  345,  362. 


346,  364. 


Spanish  War,  89,  96,  102,  110,  114,  116,     Syracuse,  New  York. 


Created  by  loans,  not  safe  reliance,  5. 


120,  125,   130,   160,  171,  173,  179,  182, 

185,  190,  194,  199,  202,  215,  218,  221, 

228,  229,  242,  246,  248,  254,  276,  289, 

295,  303,  305,   310,  316,  318,  324,  335, 

339,  343,  345,   352,  363. 

Soldiers  of,  gratitude  of  nation  to,  80, 

81,  88. 

Soldiers  of,  commendation  of,  81,  82. 

Conduct  of,  83,  84. 

Display  of  humanity,  89,  107,  108. 


Conclusion  of,  should  be  triumph  for  ^Taxation,  345. 


Speech  at,  Aug.  24,  '97,  36. 


Tarn  a,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '98,  90. 
Tanner,  John  R.,  126. 
Tariff,  29,  258,  345. 

Discussion  of,  has  ceased,  198. 

(See  Taxation.) 


humanity,  90,  145. 
Outcome  of,  90,  149. 
Veterans  of,  92,  155,  194,  226,  257,  272, 
283,  285. 

Enlistment  of  students,  93. 
Duty  imposed  by,  100,  133. 
Matchless  in  its  results,  103. 
,  Not  sought  by  the  United  States,  105, 
128,  135, 151. 

Heroism  displayed  in,  107. 
Country  united  in  conduct  of,  108, 
150. 
Brilliant  in  victory,  129. 


To  raise  income,  best  way,  6. 
Of  imports,  settled  policy  of  govern 
ment,  6. 

Direct,  avoided  except  in  war,  6. 
Internal,  country  opposed  to  needless 
additions,  6. 

Tariff,  country  committed  to  by  lat 
est  popular  utterance,  6. 
Tariff,  controlling  principle  of,  6. 
Spanish  War,  borne  with  patriotism, 
121,  127. 

Tayler,  R.  W.,  219. 

Taylor,  John  N.,  218. 


INDEX. 


Taylor,  Richard  M.t  349 
Tennessee,  30. 

Characteristics  of,  31,  32 

Origin  of,  31,  32. 

Progress  of,  33. 

^Mother  of  Southwestern  statesmen," 
Tennessee  Centennial  Exposition,  Nash- 

Address  at,  June  11,  '97,  30. 


Twenty-third  Ohio  Regiment. 

ieptl,  '97  2Uai° 
Tyler,  J.  Hoge,  348. 


Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  139 
Speech  at,  Oct.  15,  '98,  122 


387 


°hi0' 


''-. 

Stronger  and  better  than  ever  before, 
inseParabIe   under  our 


Acquisition  of   114 


s  213 

Cession  of,  266 
Texas,  The,  350 


cr  to  alienate,319. 


Complete  restoration  of,  most  gratify 
ing  development  of  Spanish  Wa     88 
Once  more  the  common  altar  of  love 
and  loyalty,  devotion  and  sacrifice! 

Union  League,  Philadelphia  onn 
Lmted  States,  63,  69,  71   72  346 

Normal  condition  of,  peace,  102 

Seal  of,  its  meaning,  243. 


a, 

Thomas,  George  H.,  K;'  40 


inilU3try 


***** 


Never  raised  its  arm  against  human- 

«&  affi*  a  blow  " 


Tipton,  Indiana 

Trade6Ch  at'  °Ct  21>  '98' 
Follows  the  flag  io:> 


'      '  -      ,      , 

,      1,  1S8,  214,  237,  9-U  264  »r,o     fl7 

University  of  Pennsylvania.      '       ' 

s,  Feb. 


i»  86,   101, 

',  258,  292,    315,  336,   345, 
Creation  of,  76 

S5£?g£#tfg  •«•*«*.» 

Treaties. 


°f 


320. 
Utah'Artillery,  U.  S.  V.,  215. 

V 

Vermilion,  South  Dakota. 


Trusts,  10. 


,  Jonathan   7j 


and  Game  League'  Isle 


,  Alabama. 
Speech  at,  Dec.  16,  '98,  166. 
Tuskegee  formal  and  Industrial  Insti- 
Ideal  in  conception,  166 
fohcy  of,  generous  and  progressive, 
Practical  nature  of,  168 


Advice  to  students.  IRQ  170 
Twentieth  Kansas  Regiment,'  F.  S.  V., 


Speech  at,  Aug.  6,  '97,  35 
Vicksburg,  202. 
Vincennes,  Indiana 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '99,  255. 
vinci,  Count,  79. 
Virginia,  265,  2G8,  348,  351 
Volunteer    Signal    Corps,  'First    Eisrh 

teenth,  and  Nineteenth   SSpanfes," 
Voorhees,  Daniel  \V.,  123. 

W 

Wadena,  Minnesota 
Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  277. 


388 


INDEX. 


Wahpeton,  North  Dakota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  13,  '99,  282. 
War  Department. 

Commission  appointed  to  investigate 

administration  of,  remarks  to,  83. 

Charges  against,  83,  84. 
Warner,  Vespasian,  128. 
Warren,  Ohio. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  18,  '99,  338. 
Washington,  Booker  T., 
Washington,  George, 

104,  181,  352,  361. 

Present  value  of  portions  of  Farewell 

Address,  73. 

"  Cherish  the  public  credit,"  76. 

Ideas  of,  regarding  foreign  policy,  77. 

Address  at  services  commemorative 

of  death  of,  355. 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Inaugural  Address,  2. 

Note  of  Powers  and  reply,  78-80. 

Remarks  to  commission  appointed  to 

investigate  administration  of  War  De 
partment,  Sept.  26,  '98,  83. 

Remarks  to  First  District  of  Columbia 

Regiment,  at  Convention  Hall,  Nov. 

17,  '98,  157. 

Response   to   committee    presenting 

petition   urging   mediation    in   Boer 

War,  Oct.  26,  '99,  347. 

Site  of,  selected  by  Washington,  356. 

Reply  to   delegates    from    National 

Board  of  Trade,  Jan.  24, 1900,  359. 

Speech  at  banquet  of  Loyal  Legion, 

Feb.  22,  1900,  360. 
Washington,  State  of,  268. 
Washington  Court-House,  Ohio. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  21,  '98, 150. 
Washington  Statue,  Philadelphia. 

Address  at  unveiling,  19. 
Waterloo,  Iowa. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  305. 
Watseka,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  11,  '99,  260. 
Waukegan,  Illinois. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  17,  '99,  329. 
Waukesha,  Wisconsin. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  16,  '99,  321. 


Webster,  Daniel,  181, 195. 
West,  The,  266. 

Despair  no  longer  hangs  over,  107. 

Now  having  fair  share  of  prosperity, 

107. 

Patriotism  of,  107. 

Vastness  and  wealth  of,  110. 

Evidences  of  prosperity  of,  110. 
Western  Reserve,  339. 
West  Indies,  315,  324. 
Wheeler,  Miss,  171. 
Wheeler,  Joseph,  95,  171,  178,  180,  181, 

297,  305. 

Introductory    remarks   at   Moutauk 

Point,  81. 

Views  of,  regarding  Philippines,  296. 
Whitfield  Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday- 
school,  Sioux  City,  Iowa,  301. 
Wight,  John  B.,  157. 
Wilmington,  Ohio. 

Remarks  at,  Oct.  21,  '98,  150. 
Wilson,  Henry,  195. 
Wilson,  James,  90,  225. 
Wilson,  James  H.,  180. 
Winthrop,  Robert  C.,  195. 
Wisconsin,  324. 
Wollant,  Gr.  de,  79. 
Women. 

Nobility  displayed  in  time  of  war,  88. 

Government's  debt  of  gratitude  to,  88. 
Wood,  Leonard,  198. 

"  Don't  swear ;  fight,"  90. 
World's  Columbian  Exposition,  25. 
Wright,  R.  R.,  176. 
Wyoming,  264,  266. 
Wyoming  Battery,  U.  S.  V.,  215. 


Yankton,  South  Dakota. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  14,  '99,  298. 
Yorktown,  surrender  of  Cornwallis  at, 

352. 
Youngstown,  Ohio. 

Speech  at,  Oct.  18,  '99,  341. 

Speech  at  public  reception,  Oct.  18, 

'99, 344. 


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